Date:05/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/05/stories/2006110505820300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Ministers pull up NREGS officials

Staff Reporter

Poor engagement of wage-seekers

District administration told to improve performance

Nearly 10,000 wage-seekers are engaged in the scheme

ANANTAPUR: Two Ministers from the district and State officials of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) have expressed dismay over the progress in the implementation of the wage-employment scheme in the district.

They directed the district administration to wake up and improve performance within two weeks.

After learning that only 10,000 wage-seekers were engaged in the scheme, Minister for Panchayat Raj and Endowments J.C. Diwakar Reddy termed it shameful as about 4.2 lakhs wage-seekers had enrolled for work.

Minister for Agriculture and Civil Supplies N. Raghuveera Reddy, Zilla Parishad Chairperson T. Kavitha, Anantapur Member of Parliament A. Venkatarami Reddy, Singanamala legislator S. Sailajanath, Principal Secretary of Rural Development K. Raju, District Collector D. Kadmiel and others participated in the review meeting here on Saturday.

On the problem expressed by Hindupur MDO Siddalingamurthy that field assistants were unable to maintain the muster rolls and other records due to lack of education, Mr. Raju said the MDOs would now be given free hand in selecting eligible persons as field assistants.