Date:18/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/18/stories/2008071850980300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Job guarantee scheme to be extended: Collector

Staff Reporter

Eligible persons to be given photo identity cards

Photo: N. Bashkaran

Collector Santhosh Babu handing over a sanitary napkin vending machine to officials of Education Department at Krishnagiri Collectorate on Thursday. –

Krishnagiri: The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) currently being implemented in 169 panchayats in the district will be extended to remaining panchayats in the district with effect from July 18, Collector Santhosh Babu has said.

The primary objective of the scheme is to enhance the livelihood security of households in rural areas, by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household.

The scheme aims at minimising the migration of people from the rural areas to urban parts in search of employment and empower the rural poor.

The works selected under the scheme will be executed through the respective village panchayats. Persons seeking employment under the scheme should volunteer for unskilled manual work.

The Collector said that persons seeking employment under the scheme should submit a written application or express their interest in person to the respective panchayat president. Eligible persons will be given a photo identity card free of cost. Photographs will be taken free of cost facilitating the persons to register for work.

Men and women aged above 18 are eligible to get employment under the scheme. Priority will be accorded for carrying out works such as water conservation, creation of new water harvesting structures, renovation of traditional water bodies including ponds, lakes, ooranis and temple ponds, removal of silt from water bodies and water carrying channels, strengthening of bunds, and flood control and protection works. More information can be obtained from the agency.