MGNREGS: No new project until pending work is over

He was replying to a member’s demand for approval to take up new projects under the scheme, during a meeting in the taluk panchayat in Kolar on Friday.

The meeting discussed in detail a circular by Director of the scheme N S Prasannakumar regarding sanctioning of new projects for the year 2010 only after the completion of the projects undertaken last year.
 
In-charge Executive Officer K S Nagarajagowda, who read out the circular, said according to the reports cited in the circular, 5.10 lakh projects were still in progress while only 30,000 projects were completed in the State as on March 31, 2010. Hence, Director N S Prasannakumar has issued instructions to the chief executive officers not to approve new projects under the scheme until the execution of all the previous projects is completed.
Besides, at some of the gram panchayats level though work is complete, relevant records and final bills have not been submitted. Besides, the officials concerned have not singed the records of the projects completed. As the issue was being widely debated across the State, the circular has stated that no new work for 2010-11 should be sanctioned.

Work limit

The director also stated that a maximum of six works can be taken up for a period of one year at the gram panchayat level or after execution of one or two projects, new ones can be sanctioned. The rule will not be applicable to the agriculture, horticulture and land development programmes taken up in private land.

 Nagarajagowda also brought to notice of the taluk panchayat the directions from the Zilla Panchayat planning officer about the scheme. As per the Panchayat Raj Rules 2006, the project, which has got clearance on the technical aspects, should get administrative approval by gram panchayat secretary if its cost is less than Rs 10 lakh or by taluk panchayat executive officer if it is more than Rs 10 lakh or by zilla panchayat chief executive officer if the estimated cost is more than Rs 30 lakh.

Taluk Panchayat President N Byatappa sought details of registration of the workers’ family with details including photograph, bank account and BPL card. The ZP has issued an order directing the officers to complete the task before May 31. 

In his reply, Nagarajagowda said only 33 per cent is over and within four to five days the registration work will be completed.

Byatappa expressed displeasure over not completing the work even a month after receiving the circular.

Irregularities

Member Nagaraj, raising the issue of irregularities in executing the work worth crores of rupees in Holuru hobli, suggested that a new estimate  be prepared after inspecting the work spots in the hobli.

Byatappa cautioned that if those who have submitted a bill exceeding the estimated cost, failed to provide satisfactory details, the panchayat will videograph the work sites and submit it to the government.

Vice-President T V Vijayalakshmi and Zilla Panchayat member Balaji Chennaiah and others were present on the occasion.