The Hindu Business Line : Rural employment scheme launched — People assured of 100 days of work in a year

THE Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council of United Progressive Alliance, Ms Sonia Gandhi, on Thursday launched an employment guarantee scheme that would give people a legal right to get 100 days of work in a year.

In case, the Government fails to provide employment, the job-card holders (those enlisted for under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) would get a part of wages as compensation.

While Ms Sonia Gandhi termed it revolutionary, Dr Manmohan Singh said that it was a landmark in the country's history, as it would help remove poverty from its face.

"It is not a routine development programme. It is a legal right, a right the people can demand to be enforced," Dr Manmohan Singh told a large gathering drawn from across the drought-prone district.

The scheme, which would be implemented in 200 districts, also aimed at creating durable assets and strengthening the livelihood base of rural poor. In Andhra Pradesh, it would be implemented in 13 districts, including nine from the Telangana region. Each district would get Rs 100 crore.

There were five important non-negotiable components in the scheme. They were - 100 days of work for a livelihood, payment of wages once in a fortnight, equal wages to men and women and only works approved by gram sabhas would be taken up.

Calling for a sound monitoring system, he felt that the people should be presented with a `Public report'. With the gram panchayats and self-help groups getting an important role, the scheme would help strengthen the grassroot democratic processes.

He had a word of caution to the State Government. "There are many partners in this large scale participatory process. We all need to work together in harmony and coordination."

Ms Sonia Gandhi said the right to information would help people in getting all the information related to works allocated under the new scheme.