SHILLONG, July 2 - Nine States attended the three-day Inter-State Exchange Programme of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) here from June 30.
Speaking on the concluding day, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said MGNREGA is a wonderful initiative to provide job for the rural masses. He added the programme is also an opportunity to ensure resources are channelised for sustainable rural development.
�MGNREGA is the largest economic stimulus programme. It is not only an employment scheme, but a tool of economic and social change in rural areas,� Sangma said.
The Chief Minister suggested the State�s flagship programme Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme (IBDLP) and MGNREGA can converge to increase benefits for the rural masses.
Meghalaya Institute of Governance, Sangma said, has decided to train Village Employment Councils so that the programme could be better implemented.
Ministry of Rural Development, Joint Secretary, Aparajita Sarangi said MGNREGA is �moving from social security to social entrepreneurship.� She informed that the Union Ministry is trying to simplify implementation of the programme.
Assuring uninterrupted flow of funds from the Ministry, the Joint Secretary spoke about the need to go for massive convergence and urged the States to have a State Convergence Plan.
