Union Rural Development Minister, Giriraj Singh, on Friday, said that pending funds for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) allocated to West Bengal will be released when the Centre is satisfied with the “transparency” in the implementation of the scheme. This statement comes amidst an ongoing dispute between the West Bengal state government and the Centre regarding the release of these funds.
At a press conference in New Delhi on the achievements of the Rural Development Ministry, Minister Giriraj Singh responded to queries concerning the West Bengal government’s allegations that funds for the rural development scheme have not been disbursed to the state for nearly two years, news agency PTI reported.
“Payments will be made to West Bengal when the Centre is satisfied with the transparency in the implementation of the scheme. Have we not allocated funds to Bengal? We are providing financial support under other schemes as well,” Minister Singh stated in response, as quoted by PTI.
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The withholding of MGNREGA funds has been a point of contention, leading to protests by leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the national capital on October 2 and 3, where they demanded the release of the outstanding dues.
The Centre, however, has raised concerns about corruption in the execution of the MGNREGA scheme in the state governed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
TMC leaders sought an audience with Minister of State for Rural Development, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, at Delhi’s Krishi Bhawan on October 3. The meeting was scheduled but did not take place, as the MoS requested that a select delegation of representatives, instead of the entire 40-member group, meet with her.
Tensions escalated when TMC leaders claimed that the MoS left without meeting them and were subsequently escorted off the Ministry premises.
Defending the Minister of State, Giriraj Singh stated, “Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti was present until 8.30 PM. They did not wish to meet with the minister; their intent was to create a scene.”
In regards to the MGNREGA scheme, Giriraj Singh emphasised that there is no shortage of funds. The Finance Ministry has been approached for additional funding under the scheme, which is expected to be approved shortly.
Moreover, Minister Singh highlighted that 2,644 crore person-days of work have been generated under MGNREGA over the past nine years, with more than Rs 6.63 lakh crore released as the central share, PTI reported.
The Minister also outlined an ambitious goal to have two crore “Lakhpati Didis” (wealthy sisters) by the end of this year, a scheme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address.
Under DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna-National Rural Livelihoods Mission), 7.33 crore women have been mobilised into Self Help Groups (SHGs) since 2014, with loans disbursed to these SHGs by banks amounting to over Rs 7.22 lakh crore. Notably, the percentage of non-performing assets (NPA) has decreased to 1.88% since 2014.
The Department of Rural Development’s target is now to reach 10 crore SHG didis by December 2023 and empower at least 2 crore didis to become lakhpati didis.
Additionally, under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), 3.21 crore houses in rural areas have been completed in the last nine years, with a total assistance of Rs 2.48 lakh crore provided for house construction.
For Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), over 7.44 lakh km of road length has been completed, connecting more than 1.62 lakh rural habitations through all-weather roads.
The Minister also noted that more than 67,000 ‘Amrit Sarovar’ have been constructed across the country as part of various rural development initiatives.
The Minister marked the occasion by launching brochures highlighting the ministry’s achievements over the past nine years.