Union Minister for Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced an increase in the allocation of funds for administrative expenditure from 6% to 9%. This decision aims to ensure timely payment of salaries to Rozgar Sahayaks and address concerns over delays in salary payments to various staff members. The raised allocation, now one and a half times higher, will earmark over Rs 13,000 crore from a proposed budget of Rs 1,51,282 crore for employee salaries and administrative needs.
The move is intended to prevent any wastage in administrative spending and guarantee prompt salary disbursements. Strict monitoring will be implemented to avoid unnecessary expenses on items like vehicles. The initiative follows concerns raised by Rozgar Sahayaks regarding delayed salaries, leading to the prioritization of salary payments in the rules. Necessary directives will be issued in collaboration with the States to ensure timely payments.
By increasing administrative expenditure, the government aims to alleviate challenges faced by grassroots workers. Minister Chouhan emphasized the importance of effective communication down the hierarchy and promised ongoing enhancements based on discussions with state governments to support staff at the panchayat level. Additionally, Chouhan highlighted the significance of the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G scheme, emphasizing the need for accurate information dissemination to rural areas.
Under the ‘Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana,’ the guarantee of employment days under MGNREGA has been extended from 100 to 125 days. This enhancement not only increases employment duration but also strengthens the employment guarantee. Provisions for unemployment allowance have been bolstered, ensuring compensation if employment is not provided. The scheme also includes stringent regulations on wage payments, with additional compensation mandated if wages are delayed beyond 15 days.
The initiative encompasses four categories of work, including water conservation projects, village infrastructure development, livelihood-based activities, and disaster protection measures. It aims to enhance employment opportunities, improve village infrastructure, and mitigate the impact of natural disasters through various projects. The scheme’s provisions ensure timely wage payments and annual wage increments to support workers.
