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Rural job scheme not implemented in Puducherry: CPI

PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry unit of the Communist Party of India on Thursday criticised the territorial administration for not implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme in the Puducherry region.

Criticising the government for not taking enough steps, national council member of the CPI and Member of Legislative Assembly R. Viswanathan told reporters that so far the had been implemented only in the Karaikal region.

In several villages, the District Rural Development Authority had issued identity cards to the persons who had applied for jobs under the programme. Some of them had even opened bank accounts as it was mandatory.

Mr. Viswanathan appealed to the government to immediately implement the Land Reforms Act 1974. Of 902 hectares of surplus land identified, only 420 hectares were so far distributed to landless persons, he said. The remaining land remain un-allotted.

Mr. Viswanathan said the party had submitted a memorandum to the Lieutenant Governor highlighting the failure of the government in implementing welfare measures for farm workers.

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