Transparency in  NREGS

 

in NREGS and make it a mass movement  – district Hoshiarpur

 

                        To provide a framework for conceptualization  and action, the following  focal issues related to innovation, change and especially  to build a firm rapport so as to motivate rural male and female members and also to activate institutions like Panchayats and other rural development agencies under NREGS are presented.

 

                        The Deputy Commissioner (Shri Megh Raj, IAS), Hoshiarpur assumed the charge of Deputy Commissioner-cum-District  Programme Coordinator(NREGS), Hoshiarpur  on 11.6.2009   and  initiated  the following steps :-

 

            1)        Integration of  Literacy  with NREGA  to make it a Mass   Movement :-

 

                          On joining as Deputy Commissioner,Hoshiarpur on 11.6.2009,   it was observed  that in district Hoshiarpur although   NREGA scheme was  launched on 2.2.2006   yet  to look  after the work in villages, no Gram Rozgar Sewaks were appointed.  However,  the services of  Literacy workers had been taken to do additional work for which   it  was  decided to  pay an honorarium of Rs.700/- per month to such  workers.  This was   reviewed in  July, 2009 and  it came to notice that the  Continuing Education Scheme  under  the Literacy Programme  had since  been closed and  the services of  all such literacy workers terminated.  Honorarium of Rs.700/- p.m was  too meager an amount for  the duties assigned  to implement NREGA in its true spirit.  After due deliberations,, it was decided to  utilize the services of  Literacy workers, wherever they were willing by making  their job cards and  employing them  as  Mates  under Para 6.5.5  of NREGS guidelines.  Accordingly, necessary instructions were issued to all Programme Officers that  priority should be given to the Literacy workers for appointment as Mates as they have  already been working under NREGA and trained   to undertake  this  job. As on 24.9.2009,   740   Literacy  workers  are   functioning under NREGS as Mates.  A separate set of instructions is being  issued  to  these Literacy-cum-NREGA  workers  to impart Literacy skills and  create awareness about various Govt. programmes and policies  i.e.  National Rural Health Mission, Nirmal Gram,    Indira Awaas Yojana, Sarv Shiksha Abhyan,  Public Distribution System, Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, Prime Ministry Gram Sarak Yojana, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA),  World Bank  assisted Water Supply programme etc.  during  the lunch break.

2)              Constitution of  Monitoring  Committees :-

 

                        During the meeting held on 19.8.2009, it  was  decided that a team  consisting of Senior Officer alongwith one Technical Officer shall be constituted  for each block  for  checking the  development works especially for NREGS  and  start an awareness programme about all Govt. programmes such as National Rural Health Mission, Sarv Shiksha Abhian, Nirmal Gram, Provision of essential  commodities under Public Distribution System and  world bank    assisted  programme  of providing potable drinking water.  These officers  shall  report about the checking of works regularly

 

      The following   teams have been constituted :-

 

 

 

3)     Training:-

 

                Training sessions have been held with the BDPOs, APOs and officials of line departments to ensure clarity regarding the  execution of  works  under NREGS. Interactive  sessions have been organized in  all the ten blocks with the Sarpanches to remove  their misgivings  and bring  clarity and transparency in the  works undertaken under NREGS.

 

 

4)       Issue of Job cards :-

 

Upto the end of  31.3.2009 as  many  as   45135 job cards  were issued to the  rural households  who  were  willing to do manual  work under NREGS  and a target of  52000 job cards was  set upto 31.3.2009. On assuming the charge, a campaign was  launched in the 3^rd week of June, 2009  in the  district and daily progress was monitored. Now as on   24^th   Sept.,,2009, as many as  58196  job cards have been issued to the workers and this process  will continue.    This has been possible with the motivation of the rural poor to come forward  to  earn  their  livelihood and create durable assets for their villages.

 

 

5)         Logistic Plan of District Hoshiarpur :-

 

To ensure regular checking of works  in the villages  by the  BDPOs / SEPOs / Junior Engineers / A.P.O.s,    a  logistic Plan  ( block-wise)  has been prepared.  With the implementation of this Plan, there will be considerable improvement  in  the quality   of   works  executed  under NREGS. 

 

       

 

6)         Setting up of  Technical Wing for checking the Estimates :-

 

Prior to 11^th June, 2009,  the estimates of the works   being executed  by the Gram Panchayats  as well as line departments were  prepared on CSR basis   and money released  without any  technical screening / appraisal in the office of  the ADC(Dev).   After assumption of charge on 11.6.2009, a technical wing headed by the Executive Engineer, Panchayati Raj, Hoshiarpur has been set up to check all  the estimates received from blocks and line departments, scrutinize and appraise  the same  as per NREGS guidelines and ensure its  execution  accordingly. This  will help reduce contractors profit in the estimates  which is in built in the CSR.  

 

 

            7)         Videography and Photography of the projects :-

 

All the BDPOs have been provided  digital cameras in July, 2009 to ensure that videography / photography  is  done prior to the launching of projects, during the execution of projects and after the completion of project  and to keep a record  thereof.   It will help  ensure accountability and transparency. It has also been directed to  convene meetings of  Gram  Sabha before starting any work under NREGS and videograph  the proceedings.

 

 

            8)        Implementation of  MIS system at Block level :-

In order to ensure better computerization of  data management under NREGS, Computer systems  have been provided to all the BDPOs by this office alongwith  internet connectivity.  Data entry of  Job cards, muster rolls  has already been started online at the software of the Ministry of Rural Development.  In  all the blocks, an Addl. Programme Officer, a Junior Engineer and a Computer operator  have been provided  in all the blocks by making fresh recruitment  in the 3^rd week  of Sept.,2009.

 

 

9)         Annual Action  Plan for the  next year 2010-11 :-

 

For  preparing the Annual Action Plan for the next year 2010-11, as per the NREGS guidelines, field functionaries of Block level i.e.  Social Education and Panchayat Officers,  Panchayat Officers / Assistant Engineers, Junior Engineers,  and the Additional Programme Officer(NREGS)  have   been  deputed  to  identify the  works  to be executed  in the Gram Panchayats. After the   identification  of works,  the  same will be  approved   by  the Gram Sabha. In this  way the Annual Action Plan will be prepared in time   and  approved  before 31^st  Dec.,2009 by Zila Parishad, Hoshiarpur.

 

                                                          ***

   

      (1) Financial Progress   :-

                

                                                      

Sr.No	Details	Rs.(in las.)
1.	Opening balance as on 1.4.2009	56.84
2.	Balance amount with the Departments	451.44
3.	Funds from Govt. of India (1st)	795.12
	Funds from Govt. of India (2nd)	466.67
4.	Funds  from State Govt.	0
5.	Misc. receipt	0
6.	Total available amount	1770.37
7.	Amount given to Panchayats & Line Deptts        ( as on 22.9.2009 )	1755.64
8.	Balance on   as on 22.9.2009	14.73

                                    

           

 

Funds   released  and utilised during the year  2009-10       ( Rs. in lacs )

                                                                                                                                                   

 

(2)  Physical Progress  :-

 

Sr.No	Details	Number
1.	Job cards issued( as on 31.8.2009)	56435
	Job cards issued( as on 24.9.2009)	58196
2.	Employment demanded	17759
3.	Employment provided	17759
4.	Mandays generated	5.23 lacs

 

 

                                         

                                                                        ***