Job scheme might include farming

Local Self Government (LSG) Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty has urged local bodies to make judicious use of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) by implementing projects that can boost the agriculture and allied sectors in the State.Inaugurating the district-level review meeting of NREGS here on Saturday he said that the block and grama panchayats should plan development programmes under the scheme for maximum benefit. "The State government is planning to include development of small scale farms, especially paddy cultivation, in NREGS. However, since this is a Central government scheme we will require their approval. We have already sent a proposal for this," the Minister said.He added that the Central officials who had inspected the progress of the NREGS in the State were impressed by its implementation."More than five lakh people in the State were expected to benefit from the scheme," the Minister said. The Minister said that one reason for the project not taking off as expected in the State was the labour charge. "Although Kerala gives the highest daily wage for the scheme, Rs 150, even this amount is less when compared to standards within the State," he said. He added that many who had initially registered for work under the scheme withdrew after they realised the nature of physical labour they had to do. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is being implemented in 78 panchayats in Thiruvananthapuram district. District panchayat president Anavoor Nagappan presided over the meeting. District Collector Sanjay Kaul was present.

The Hindu, 19^th October 2008