Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM reviews NREGP Implementation

The Prime Minister reviewed the progress of the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme at a special review meeting on 20th June, 2007. The Minister for Rural Development apprised the Prime Minister of the successful implementation of the programme in 330 districts. It was reported that so far over 2.1 crore persons had been provided employment under NREGA. This included 1.2 crore SC & ST and 0.8 crore women. Under NREGA employment generation has been linked to rural asset creation and infrastructure development. The majority of the works undertaken related to water conservation, water harvesting, flood control, irrigation and renovation of traditional water bodies, and construction of rural roads. The review noted that as a result of introduction of NREGA there is a decline in distress migration, improvement in land productivity, increased awareness among rural poor regarding minimum wages. There has also been an increase in wage earnings as well as improvement in participation of women in the rural work force. It was also noted that wage earners have been able to open savings bank account, take up insurance and improve literacy.

Taking note of the successful implementation of the NREGA the Prime Minister called for independent professional evaluation of the programme and its impact on employment generation, rural wages, gender disparity, agricultural productivity and rural infrastructure development. The Prime Minister urged State Governments that were lagging behind in the implementation of the programme to learn from the experience of the States that were actively implementing the programme.

The Prime Minister has called for the preparation of district-wise District Employment Report, giving information on NREGA, to be presented on Labour Day, 1st May, 2008.