Karnataka moots grant of funds for construction of toilets under MGNREGA

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Oct 3: Even as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has advocated that construction of toilets (sauchalays) was needed first than temples (devalays), which incidentally was the view expressed by Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, Karnataka’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Council has decided to grant funds to eligible beneficiaries for construction of bathrooms attached with toilets.

The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department was so far sanctioning funds only for construction of toilets at Rs 4500 per unit.

Households of both above poverty line (APL) and below poverty line (BPL) will be eligible for sanctioning funds under the proposal.

So far, only small and marginal farmers of APL category were eligible for financial grants for construction of toilets.

The amount to be released for construction of bathrooms in the State has not yet estimated. The department has released amounts for 1.20 lakh beneficiaries for construction of toilets.

It may be recalled that Jairam Ramesh had come under sharp attack, especially from BJP and Sangh Parivar outfits, for airing his views that construction of toilets was important and must get priority.

Karnataka’s  Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil presided a meeting of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Council in Bangalore on Thursday, which decided to send a proposal to the Centre seeking funds for construction of bathrooms attached with toilets in rural areas.

The State Government has constituted a three-member Appellate Authority headed by former Additional Chief Secretary Chiranjeevi Singh to hear complaints against Ombudsmen, who were appointed to monitor the works executed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the minister said.

Other members of the Authority are Gandhian Ho. Srinivasaiah and Puduchery Central University former Vice-Chancellor V G Patil.

Over two dozen complaints have been received against Ombudsmen  in Davanagere and Yadgir districts, the Minister said and mentioned that the Authority was constituted to hear complaints against such officials,.

The State had received Rs. 11,500 crore funds from the Centre under the job scheme since its inception in 2006-07.

But the State utilized barely Rs 8,000 crore and a total of Rs 3,500 crore lapsed, the minister said.

A sum of Rs 1490 crore has been earmarked for taking up works under the MGNREGA.

But Rs 710 crore had been spent so far and the government would send a proposal to the Centre seeking release of the rest of the amount, Patil added.