Performance earns Sikkim 33% hike in MGNREGA funds

GANGTOK: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act [MGNREGA], a national flagship program has completed 5 years of implementation in Sikkim, and based on the “excellent performance” of the State [backed by the three national awards], the Ministry of Rural Development has hiked the allocation by 33% to Rs. 118.65 crore for 2011-12 to be released in instalments based on performance, informs a press communiqué received from Special Secretary, Rural Management & Development Department, Dr. Sandeep Tambe, Wednesday.
The MGNREGA scheme has been universalized and is operational in all the 165 Gram Panchayats of Sikkim. The MGNREGA, a wage employment guarantee programme has received an unparalleled public response and more than 58,000 rural households are currently participating in this programme here, the Special Secretary adds.

Sikkim is the only state where 100% implementation is being done by Gram Panchayats, it is informed. With the hike in outlay, GPUs will now reveive an average of Rs 70 lakh annually and this, the release adds, will help in decentralization and need-based, bottom-up developmental planning.
Most of the works taken up relate to minor irrigation channels, jhora training works, school and Anganwadi grounds, village footpaths, fodder and horticulture plantations, land terracing and Dhara Vikas.
Also this year, land development and protective works for eligible beneficiaries under Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission will be taken up, the release adds, explaining that these works are proposed and approved in the Gram Sabha, estimation done by concerned technical wings at the Block level and financial sanction approved by the District Planning Committee.
Stringent social audit system and other transparency safeguards ensure that the quality of works is good and the asset created need based, the release further claims.