Bihar yet to receive second instalment of MNREGA, IAY funds: Minister

Patna,(BiharTimes): Rural Development Minister Nitish Mishra said on Tuesday that the state government was finding it difficult to implement central flagship schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and the Indira Avas Yojana (IAY) for want of central funds.

Replying to his department’s budget of Rs 1,790 crore for 2013-14 he asked as to how can the state meet financial obligations of panchayats for expenditure incurred on implementation of the MNREGA and the IAY if it doesnot receive funds from the Centre?

He said the state government has decided to utilize funds under the schemes for creation of assets on private land and for which several departments would formulate schemes.

“We have sent utilization certificates in October yet no second instalment has been made. If it would be made in March it would be of little use for us. True, the Centre allots funds, but it allots it too late,” he said.
He said the MNREGA funds would also be used for construction of toilets in rural households. He said that it has been decided to carry out three inspections in each panchayat to review progress under the central flagship schemes.

The minister said similar inspections were carried out in 4,670 gram panchayats and on the basis of reports, 289 MNREGA employees were sacked, 318 others charged with financial irregularities while Rs 71 lakh was recovered from them. It has been decided to issue E-Shakti cards to all beneficiaries under the MNREGA over the next two years to stop pilferage.

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