MLAs want relaxation of norms in job guarantee scheme

Members in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday sought relaxation of the guidelines pertaining to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and sought that the programme be linked to MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) scheme.

Speaking during a discussion on the drought situation in the State,  N Cheluvarayaswamy (JD-S) said the stringent guidelines pertaining to MGNREGS were coming in the wake of taking up developmental works under the scheme.

While the funds meant for the scheme could be used for labour, they could not be utilised for material costs. Such restrictions came in the way of utilisation of the Central funds, he said.

Basavaraj Bommai said the MLALAD funds provided to each legislator could be linked to MGNREGS to cover material costs. Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil said the department will consider relaxing the rules and a circular to this effect could be issued soon.

Govind Karjol (BJP) charged the State government with failing to provide relief to the drought-affected people in the State.

He said the government has so far spent only Rs 39.27 crore for drought-relief works. It has neither created jobs in the affected-places nor has it distributed fodder to the farmers.

Some of the ruling party members like Mallikaiah Guttedar also criticised the government for not doing enough on the drought issue. He disagreed with Law Minister T B Jayachandra who claimed that enough drinking water and fodder has been supplied to the affected places.