New Delhi: The CPI (M) has alleged that
Maharashtra government in contravention of the provisions of
NREGA, converted public works into a private subsidy scheme in
which the role of the beneficiary became that of a contractor,
asking the Centre to intervene into the matter and take
appropriate action.
In a letter to Union Rural Development Minister C P
Joshi, party's politburo member Brinda Karat said the state
government had issued an order regarding the works on the
lands of the small and marginal farmers last month. She
claimed that they were not defined as per the Agricultural
Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme prescribed by the ministry.
She claimed that the said order also placed no upper
ceiling on land holdings for availing the benefits for small
and marginal farmers.
"The most serious contradictions (in the order) lie in
the conversion of public works under NREGA into a private
subsidy scheme in which the role of the beneficiary becomes
that of a contractor," Karat alleged.
Even the minimum protection for the worker through
registration and maintenance of muster rolls was waived which
could lead to wages lower than the stipulated minimum, she
alleged.
Asking the minister to take up the matter "urgently"
with the state government, she suggested he ensure that the
state government order is withdrawn and necessary changes
are made in tune with the Act (NREGA).
-PTI
First Published: Saturday, February 20, 2010, 00:43