MGNREGS picks up in Kodagu district

Works worth Rs 2.31 cr taken up from April to September

As per the available documents, 367 works have been completed in about 70 Gram Panchayats of the district from April to September 2011.

With this it is said that the district is ahead of Bangalore, Mysore and Bellary in implementation of the scheme. What is commendable is the fact that 367 works have been taken up countering the labour crisis.

When compared to the work progress during the last year between April and August, where works worth Rs 45.60 lakh had been completed, the district has achieved additional 35 percent progress this year.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Zilla Panchayat CEO N Krishnappa said that the Central government’s ambitious programme has been well implemented in Kodagu district.

“Kodagu, being a small district, compared to all other districts has been facing labour crisis from a long time. Labourers earn good wage in the coffee estates of Kodagu. If the labourers get wage of Rs 200 per day in the coffee estates, along with free food, they are given only Rs 125 per day under MGNREGS.”

“Hence convincing people to take up work under MGNREGS had been a challenge,” said the CEO.

Various community developmental works such as repairing Anganwadi buildings, road repair, planting saplings have been taken up in the district.

CEO Krishnappa confidently says that compared to other districts, Kodagu has made a remarkable achievement. In contrast to other district wise figures- Bangalore district (Rs 22 lakh), Mysore district (Rs 27 lakh), Rama Nagara (Rs 36 lakh), Kolar (Rs 40 lakh), Udupi (Rs 57 lakh), Chamarajanagar (Rs 103 lakh), Gadag (Rs 110 lakh), Bellary (Rs 111 lakh), Kodagu has witnessed commendable progress, he informed.

Out of the total population of 5.60 in the district, 4.60 lakh reside in rural areas, among which 55,020 have been provide with work under MGNREGS.

Among the three taluks, Somwarpet has carried out highest work worth Rs 153.71 lakh, while Madikeri taluk has witnessed less progress with the accomplishment of work worth Rs 27.13.