Bhubaneswar: Odisha is now a lead performer in many important parameters of the MGNREGS. The State tops the list at the national level in several important indicators like geo-tagging of the projects, creation of household-level assets, convergence in construction of Anganwadi Centres and rural housing.
According to an official release, this was known from a review taken by Chief Secretary AP Padhi here on Thursday wherein Panhayati Raj Secretary Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh outlined the issues for discussion and Special Projects Director SN Girish presented the updates.
The Chief Secretary directed different departments to undertake more projects in convergence with the MGNREGS for creation of additional jobs and assets. Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan advised taking up road connectivity projects to remotest areas under the scheme in convergence with State funds.
It was further decided to include drinking water projects in remote tribal areas under the scheme. A target was set to scale up utilisation level to Rs 3,000 crore during the financial year 2018-19.
PR Secretary Singh told reporters, “In geo ID generation of the assets created under the scheme, the State has achieved 98% against the national average of 96%. The State is now at the top (around 81%) in creation of assets at the household level. In 2017-18, a total of 5,420 Anganwadi Centres have been completed. In rural housing, around 7.35 lakh beneficiaries have been assisted.”
The percentage of fund utilisation in the agriculture and allied sectors from the scheme has been scaled up to around 72% against the national average of 68%, he said.
During 2017-18, the State has utilised the highest-ever amount of Rs 2,515 crore under the MGNREGS and created 9.22 crore person days of engagement.
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