RD Ministry seeks to plug MNREGA loopholes after CAG rap

After CAG rap on performance of UPA's flagship rural employment scheme, Rural Development Ministry today said it has initiated a series of steps, including developing a model accounting format and evaluation of the programme, to plug loopholes.
The Ministry also said it has put in place "comprehensive multi-channel" monitoring mechanism of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme following a CAG report which had pointed out various deficiencies in it.
In a presentation before Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Ministry said based on the recommendation of the CAG in its report, it was in the process of developing a model format of accounts to curb corruption.

On the issue of ensuring compliance with required rules and guidelines for release of funds, the Ministry said the new 'operational guidelines, 2013' prescribe essential requirements for release of funds.
In its report, the government auditor had recommended that the Central Employment Guarantee Council and the RD Ministry should consider undertaking a national-level comprehensive independent evaluation of the scheme.
The Ministry said while Planning Commission has initiated such a step, it is also undertaking a national level evaluation.

The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) has already been requested to to carry out regular evaluations even as a Concurrent Evaluation Office (CEO) is being set up.

The CAG report said only 30 per cent of 129 lakh works worth over Rs 1.26 lakh crore approved in 14 states were completed.
It said barely 30 per cent of NREGA work was completed, while Bihar, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh used only 20 per cent of its funds.
The report said the Centre and the state governments, including Congress ruled states, are responsible for not implementing the rules.
The Scheme aims at enhancing livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing 100 days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. However, these 100 days declined to 43 days, the CAG report said.