Centre reviews progress of schemes

GUWAHATI, Nov 8: A review meeting was held on Wednesday at the Conference Hall of the State Chief Secretary to review the progress of implementation of rural development programmes. A group of officials headed by Union Rural Development Secretary Amarjeet Sinha reviewed it. The meeting was chaired by Assam Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia.

P&RD Commissioner JB Ekka explained the status of various ongoing schemes giving a presentation on progress and performance of PMAYG, MGNREGA, NSAP and other component. Progress of Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission and State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development was also summed up during the session.

As many as 2,61,071 incomplete houses under IAY were completed from April, 2016 to November 6, 2017. Target is set to complete all other incomplete IAY houses by current month. Out of 2,59,814 of PMAYG houses 1,29,153 houses have been sanctioned and 1,656 houses have been completed as of now. The Chief Minister directed to achieve the target by March, 2018. 

Since inception the volume and variety of schemes taken up under MGNREGA have increased manifolds. 15.72 lakh households were provided employment in 2016-17 and in 2017-18, 10.93 lakh households are provided employment till date. On the other hand, Rs. 1501.2 crore was utilized in 2016-17 and in current fincial year expenditure of Rs. 904.93 crore has been made till date creating 253.84 lakh man days. Since inception 1.94 lakh assets have been created till date.

In case of NSAP, Assam has started Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of NSAP pension since April, 2017. A total of 8,91,853 beneficiaries under NSAP are availing benefits from the scheme. Additiol Chief Secretary MGVK Bhanu is for increasing the target of NSAP beneficiaries so that the left-out eligible persons may be covered under the scheme.

The Union secretary assured Dispur of looking into the matters raised by Additiol CS and Commissioner P & RD. He said that Rs. 120 crore is sanctioned for wage under MGNREGA. He also said that target of NSAP will be increased and in case of disable pension the percentage of disability will be decreased to 40%. He agreed to the suggestion of Chief Secretary to take up some waste magement schemes under MGNREGA.