DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 14 (MExN): The Kohima Village Council (KVC) today submitted a complaint to the Nagaland Chief Minister regarding the implementation of the MGNREGA scheme in Nagaland.
In its representation, KVC Chairman, Dr Neiphi Kire and Secretary, Zeneizo Rutsa urged the Department of Rural Development to fully release the MGNREGA budget sanctioned by the Centre for the village and called for its full utilization.
“There should be no deduction of money from the Work Orders,” the KVC demanded, while expressing surprise that the department “is demanding 80% of the material component cost from the work orders issued.” This illegal deduction must be investigated and stopped forthwith, it stated.
The KVC further lamented that the targeted groups under the scheme are not being benefited and insisted that “there should be no VIP or General category.”
“On the contrary, there must be provision for differently abled category, vulnerable women and senior citizens as provided under the programme,” it added.
It further said that there should be only one yard stick/criteria for generating Job cards as per central pattern only. It also called for the Muster Roll, which is necessary for all works executed under MGNREGA, to be genuine.
In this, the KVC alleged that “there are lakhs of forged signatures by the VDBs at the directive of the Department every year,” adding that “the RD Department has normalized the crime of forged signatures.”
It also demanded that the department cease furnishing “false attendance reports of works done at the work site on the Muster Roll.” The KVC alleged that “this involves more than 4.36 lakh Job Card holders in the State every year involving 1250 Villages Councils and VDBs in Nagaland.”
The KVC therefore urged the Nagaland Government to strengthen the Village Councils in Nagaland. It expressed regret that there is no capacity building, no financial assistance nor administrative cost provided to the Village Councils despite such provisions available under the programme.
A strong Village Council at grass root level will ensure a strong Naga society, it asserted.
