MNREGA work completion rate poor in Karnataka

A work completion report of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), in Karnataka, shows that around 45 per cent of the total works started under the NREGA scheme since inception was still pending.

Of the total 10,95,815 works started, only 6,30,727 works had been completed with a work completion rate of 57.6 per cent, but the ministry of rural development (MRD) had noted that actual work completion rates were higher than what was reflected in the management information system (MIS).

According to Venkatesh joint director (MNREGA), rural development and panchayat raj, the low completion rate might be due to failure in updating the status in MIS.

 However, the ministry noted that there was a need to still regulate the opening of new works by panchayats and line agencies and orders had been issued accordingly to update MIS so that true figures were reflected in the public domain.

 Also the Standing Committee on Rural Development had expressed deep concern over the low work completion rate under MGNREGA.

The centre has, meanwhile,  issued guidelines for improving the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, which also provides for stopping funds. This comes after complaints on the UPA's flagship rural employment programme.

The centre would exercise powers under the Act to probe complaints and hold back funds to a state if remedial action was not taken within a specified time and with the new system in place, state governments would no longer be able to drag their feet on taking action on complaints, particularly those relating to financial irregularities.