Staff Reporter

Shillong, Aug 10: Minister in-charge Community and Rural Development Abu Taher Mondal has informed that the government has released 50 per cent of the fund for material components under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

“We have released 50 per cent of the fund one week back,” Mondal told reporters today. The fund is released for the works already executed. As far as wages is concerned, the same is released directly to the accounts of the individual job card holders.

He said that the delay in releasing the funds for material components is because of the clearance from the central government.

“The share between the Centre and State is 75 per cent by 25 per cent. So unless the Centre releases the fund, it is very difficult for us to just release 25 per cent and keep people happy,” he added.

Mondal also informed that the State government will also insist that the remaining 50 per cent of the funds pending for 2022 be released at the earliest.

“As I told you in the future we will pursue with the Central government that funds be released as early as possible so that the work is not hampered,” he said.

With regards to corruption cases in the implementation of the scheme, Mondal said, “If corruption charges are there it is very specific to the VECs, it is different in different VECs. I ask them when the complaint is lodged, to immediately look into the matter and take appropriate action.”

On the demand for convergence of MLA scheme with MGNREGS, the minister said the MLA scheme is very flexible and if MLA wants to put in convergence with other schemes, it can be worked out, there is no problem.