HYDERABAD: The issuance of lakhs of job cards as part of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act notwithstanding, the number of people seeking jobs under the scheme appears to be very low.

While a total of 39 lakh job cards have been issued under the scheme, only 4 lakh people have asked for employment.

One reason could be that the bumper crop in the current rabi season in the State had provided employment to a majority of workers and hence they were not taking up jobs under the scheme. The Government is, however, geared up to provide employment to all the 39 lakh cardholders if they seek employment, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said.

State praised

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Mr. Ramesh who reviewed the implementation of the programme with senior officials appreciated the State for becoming the frontrunner in the implementation of the programme by putting in place foolproof arrangements.

In contrast to other States like Madhya Pradesh where the issuance of job cards had turned out to be bogus, Andhra Pradesh secured 25 per cent of the total job cards in the first phase itself. It had turned into a model that could be emulated by other States.

It was the first State to have opted for the computerised solution provided by Tata Consultancy Services wherein entire works were being computerised and workers issued pay slips. The payment was being deposited in the savings accounts in the respective post offices. As a result, some 4 lakh new savings accounts had been opened in post offices in the last six months.

Funds for chenchus

Mr. Ramesh has decided to earmark his MP Local Area Development Scheme funds for the next two years for the development of Chenchu tribal areas.

Mr. Ramesh had earlier allotted the MPLADS funds of two years, amounting to Rs. 4 crores, for taking up developmental works in the habitations of Gond, Koya and Kondareddy tribes in Adilabad, Khammam and Warangal districts.

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