Government weighs employment scheme for urban poor

The government is considering an employment programme on the lines of  the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) scheme for the urban poor as well, minister of state for planning V Narayana Swami said.

The NREGA scheme, launched in February 2006, offers 100 days of assured employment in a year to at least one person in a rural household. The scheme, introduced in 200 districts initially, was gradually extended to cover the entire nation by 2008-09.

"The new government would focus mainly on infrastructure development, employment guarantee scheme, anti-poverty programmes, rural development, urban development and employment generation,''  Narayanasamy said after assuming office.

The planning commission would also work towards rapid industrialisation and a strategy to revive exports, he added.

He said the emphasis on inclusive growth would increase and the planning commission would work towards further strengthening the monitoring mechanism to ensure that the funds allocated are spent in the specified areas and diversion is checked.

The minister said the need to strengthen the monitoring mechanism was more pronounced as the new government is solidly committed to achieving inclusive growth. In this regard, he said, spending on programmes like NREGA, Indira Awas Yojna, National Rural Health Mission, tribal development, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and those aimed at socio-economic up-liftment of the minority groups is likely to be enhanced.

He said existing plans would be modified to include initiatives flagged off in the election manifesto of the Congress party so as to ensure that the welfare of all sections of society is a natural part of the plan process.