Date:27/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/27/stories/2008072758480600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

NREGP workers pour out their woes to Gandhi scion

S. Venugopal

Rahul gets first-hand account of scheme’s implementation

BHOOTHPUR (Mahabubnagar dt): Andhra Pradesh is ahead of several other States in the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is a known fact. But, many are unaware of the shortcomings in the effective implementation of the scheme.

Labourers employed under NREGP found an appropriate platform to air their grievances in All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi who arrived at this village, taking all by surprise, on Saturday. On a two-day visit to the State, Mr. Gandhi took time off to visit this village in the backward and drought-prone Mahabubnagar district to get first-hand information about the implementation of the scheme.

The visit was marked by secrecy all through and Mr. Gandhi interacted with the labourers in a building, housing a hotel hitherto, patiently listening to their complaints.

Bribes demanded

What started with requests for enhancing the number of working days from the present 100 gradually passed on to the lapses in the implementation. There were complaints about the use of machines in works against the standard guidelines. Labourers lamented that those preparing their wage bills were demanding Rs. 50 from each of them while some others noted that middle-men were dominating the scheme at the post-offices where payments were made to the card holders.

Mr. Gandhi was accompanied by an entourage comprising Jadcharla MLA Mallu Ravi, Principal Secretary K. Raju, Rural Development Commissioner A. Shanti Kumar, Special Commissioner (Rural Development) P. Tirupathaiah and social auditors. The closely guarded tour stumped not only the labourers, officials but also the elected representatives, who were hurriedly asked to attend the interaction meeting with Mr. Gandhi.

Speaking to reporters later, Dr. Ravi said Mr.Gandhi expressed satisfaction at the NREGP works in Andhra Pradesh. He quoted Mr. Gandhi as saying: “I am happy that the officials and labourers are doing good work in employment guarantee scheme. I also thank the local elected representatives for giving me an opportunity to interact with you.” Unprecedented security arrangements were made by the district police and the SPG personnel during the tour.