For better NREGS performance

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 20 AUG.: To maintain a better rank in the performance league table measuring the implementation levels of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) the Malda district has planned to cultivate banana and papaya in four blocks of this district.

With the help of the host oganisation, Comprehensive Area Development Corporation (CADC), the district administration has planned to cultivate banana and papaya in Habibpur, Bamongola, Gazole and Kaliachak block areas under the NREGS.

The district administrative officials have already held series of meetings with all the departments and urged the respective heads to submit action plans and its implementation procedures with the help of NREGS, so that the district can utilise their allotted funds properly providing 100 days job to numberless registered labourers.

According to the additional district programme co-ordinator (ADPC) for NREGS, many departments have submitted their action plans. The district authorities have accepted some programmes from horticulture department for cultivation of banana and papaya. Besides, nursery and social forestry programmes have also been adopted under the NREGS.

The ADPC for NREGS in Malda Mr Kajal Banerjee said: “Malda district is the pioneer of its ‘convergence programme’ receiving action plans from all government departments like irrigation and public works departments (roads)”.

The NREGS cell in Malda has also been spreading awareness among the people including the registered labourers in remote villages about the NREGS through a drama called Jiban Ebar Badlai Dile-Hey.

The district administration has produced the drama with the help of local artists of Malda Theater Platform based on district's traditional folk tune Gambhira.

The team has been performing across the district since last week.

The district has also assigned another agency to make a documentary film based on successful projects under the NREGS.

Under the NREGS the district administration has engaged hundreds of labourers for anti-erosion work for protection of the embankment on the bank of Fulohar for flood protection at Bhaluka in Harishchandrapur. The work is still under progress.