<![CDATA[By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, February 19: Even as the current fiscal year is ending in March next, irregular fun flow continues to stall the implementation of MGNREGS in Ukhrul with barely a quarter of work has just been implemented till date out of 100 days of guaranteed jobs for the rural poor in the district for the year 2013-14. tnbsp;
The minimal/stalled implementation of only 24 days out of 100 days of the unskilled manual work under the celebrated scheme in the district at this fag end of the current financial year came to light when this IFP correspondent conducted a random survey here on Wednesday.
According to Bishikanta, District Project Officer, MGNREGS, Ukhrul, till date he has already handed over funds for 29 days to the concerned SDO/BDO and that for another 3 days would be released in the next few days` time for the current FY 2013-14 which is closing next month.
"This would account for a total of 31 days for which funds have been sanctioned so far," he asserted.
At the same time, SO Nilmani of Ukhrul SDO/BDO has said that out of the 29 days, they have released funds for 24 days to job card holders pending another 5 days, adding that they are awaiting receipt of funds for the said 3 days from DPO.
Coming up with the possible reasons for the undue delay in sanctioning funds by the centre under the scheme, Bishikanta maintained that it could be due to the change in system of routing funds through Manipur State Rural Development Society (MSRDS) from the previous mode of transferring funds directly to the concerned district.
As regards the pending funds for the rest 69 days, DPO said he cannot say anything for sure until the fiscal year ends.
He also recalled that in the year 2012-13 there was a backlog of 8 days as the state government had a deficit of 14 crores in its share of funds in the material component (MC).
Nevertheless, compared to other schemes around, implementation of MGNREGS in the district can be safely considered satisfactory, he opined.
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