oodies
हिंदी खबरें 
The Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Dr. C.P Joshi has emphasized upon the critical role of Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) in effective implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA) in the rural areas.
In a letter to all the Chief Ministers he said that Panchayats at district, intermediate and village levels are the principal authorities for planning and implementation of NREGA under Section 13 of the Act and at least 50 per cent of NREGA funds are to be spent by the Gram Panchayats (GPs).
For this the Gram Sabhas(GSs) has to recommend special projects to the GPs and conduct social audit of NREGA works. Also the District Programme Coordinators and Programme Officers are to assist District and Intermediate Panchayats respectively in discharge of their functions.
Dr. Joshi said these features of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA offer a unique opportunity to strengthen and enable PRIs, particularly the GPs and GSs. The rejuvenated and enabledPanchayats, in turn, can become powerful instruments in making the Act a much better success.
It is generally seen that States with vibrant and optimally sized Panchayats with requisite manpower have implemented Mahatma Gandhi NREGA better. There is self-evident symbiosis between Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and the Panchayats.
As the exigencies of the drought like situation in large parts of the country makes it an imperative to strengthen thePanchayats as it calls for massive planning of works not only under NREGA but also under other relevant schemes (Viz. BRGF, Integrated Watershed Management Programme, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Minor Irrigation, Drinking Water, SGSY, etc.) and greatly improved implementation in saving the crops planted, providing livelihood and conserving soil & water for the future. Many Panchayats in the country have transformed villages through such measures (Viz. Hivare Bazar in Maharashtra).
The Minister urged the Chief Ministers to consider some specific action/measure for generating much better awareness of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, essential staffing & infrastructure for GPs, direct flow of funds to GPs, better transparency and accountability of Panchayats and effective mechanism for grievance handling and monitoring.
He has also laid emphasis on the criticality of Participatory Planning and convergence of schemes and resources in view of the convergence guidelines issued by the M/o Rural Development that seek to efficiently manage & converge National Resources including soil and water during the drought like situations.
Dr. Joshi has expressed hope that the positive response and action by the States will be helpful in revamping the Panchayats in a Mission Mode and strengthen the planning and implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA ( including related programmes like, IWMP, Drinking Water, SGSY and BRGF).
