Date:24/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/24/stories/2008052458820200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

NREGS software bags Stockholm Challenge Award

HYDERABAD: The software developed by Tata Consultancy Services in coordination with Rural Development Department for the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has bagged International Stockholm Challenge Award for 2008.

It was presented to K. Raju, Principal Secretary, Rural Development, at a function in Stockholm on May 22, according to an official release here on Friday.

Transparent

The release said the scheme was being implemented through specially-designed software to make NREGS system more accountable and transparent.

The software was developed two years ago soon after NREGS was launched in the State.

As many as 95 lakh individuals from 59 lakh families benefited from the scheme during the last two years.

As of today, 3.69 lakh works were completed and another 3.49 lakh works were in progress. The total worth of all the works was estimated to be Rs.6,635 crore and an amount of Rs. 2,640 crore was spent as wages.

A. Santhi Kumari, Commissioner, Rural development, A. Murali, director, NREGS-A.P., M. Panda, Joint Commissioner, R. Anitha, Director SHGs, attended the function.