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In its attempt of a faster execution of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS), the Madhya Pradesh state government has launched a scheme to allow farmers to take benefit of the scheme on their own farms.
However, so far labourers are entitled for the scheme. "Small and marginal farmers will now be entitled for job under MNREGS at their own fields. They will be paid wages according to the prescribed rates provided they hold MNREGS cards," a well-placed government official said.
The scheme is aimed at reducing possibilities of creating fake jobs and fake job-cards but also ensure benefit to the small and marginal farmers.
"As many as 5.2 million farmers will take benefit of the scheme," the official said.Other than small and marginal farmers, all scheduled caste schedule tribe category farmers will be eligible under the scheme.
"The farmers will have to initiate jobs either at their fields or houses under certain crieteria and conditions," the official further said.
Local panchayat and state rural development department staff will decide if a farmer is entitled to take benefit of the scheme. They will be paid in ratio of 60:40 for cash and material.
Various organizations and main opposition Congress had alleged gross irregularities in the MNREGS at various occasions.
However the state has now made all cash transactions against wages mandatory through electronic transfer payments. The state government will also include its own rural development schemes to ensure maximum work to the farmers. It will include various jobs pertaining to agriculture and allied activities.
