| NREGA Update February 2008 |
- Rural connectivity may lose its name from NREGA list of works
- Creation of Productive Assets under NREGA
Rural connectivity may lose its name from NREGA list of works
The rural development ministry is looking at a proposal to remove rural connectivity from the list of nine recommended types of work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). Rural connectivity or road construction occupies the bottom position on the list of recommended works under the NREGA. Out of a total 12.3 lakh number of direct projects under the NREGA across 330 districts, more than 2 lakh were related to rural connectivity alone during the April to December period of the current fiscal. Under the scheme, only 40% of the funds can be spent on raw materials and machinery while the rest goes towards wages.
Creation of Productive Assets under NREGA
In the first year of NREGA (February 2006 to March 2007), 7,65,132 works were taken up. Out of this, 3,15,743 were related to water conservation and renovation of traditional water bodies thus constituting around 41 percent of the total works. Rural connectivity comprised of 1,82,900 works i.e. around 23 percent of total works. During the current financial year (April 2007 till Jan 2007), 12, 99,025 works (both completed and ongoing) have been taken up. Out of this, 4,62,796 works are related to water conservation and renovation of water bodies i.e. around 35 percent of total works. Rural connectivity in the same year accounts for 16% (2, 18, 955) of total works. Land development works has also increased from 2 percent in 2006- 07 to 14 percent in 2007- 08.| Creation of Productive Assets under NREGA | ||||
| 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |||
| Type of works | Number of Works (Completed+ Ongoing) |
% as against total works | Number of Works (Completed+ Ongoing) |
% as against total works |
| Rural Connectivity | 1,82,900 | 23.90 | 2,18,955 | 16.90 |
| Flood Control and Protection | 17,287 | 2.25 | 30,812 | 2.40 |
| Water Conservation and Water Harvesting | 2,68,619 | 35.10 | 3,61,372 | 27.80 |
| Drought Proofing | 83,277 | 10.80 | 1,14,895 | 8.80 |
| Micro Irrigation Works | 29,803 | 3.9 | 57,881 | 4.40 |
| Provision of Irrigation facility to Land Owned by SC/ST | 84,930 | 11.10 | 1,81,943 | 14.00 |
| Renovation of Traditional Water bodies | 47,124 | 6.15 | 1,01,424 | 7.80 |
| Land Development | 22,499 | 2.90 | 1,87,663 | 14.45 |
| Any Other activity Approved by MRD | 28,963 | 3.80 | 44,080 | 3.40 |
| Total | 7,65,402 | 12,99,025 | ||
