Latest news with #NREGS
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
CAG holds horizontal audit of Jal Jeevan Mission, reports soon
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is conducting an extensive performance audit of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the government's flagship scheme aimed at providing tap water connections to all rural households, The Indian Express has learnt. According to sources, the JJM audit exercise is in an advanced stage and reports are expected soon. The process began about one and a half years ago after the CAG included the subject in its audit plan. It is covering the implementation of the JJM in states from the financial year 2019-20 to 2023-24. The CAG is conducting a horizontal audit of the Mission, through its field offices led by Principal Accountant Generals (PAGs) or Accountants General (AGs), across all states. The fieldwork in most states is over, while in some of the states, the exercise is at the report-writing stage, said a source. Reports of two states have already reached the CAG headquarters, the source said. Once the reports are finalised, they will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly of respective states, said the source. The audit is conducted at state level and not at the national level as the state governments are at the forefront of implementing the JJM. All aspects of JJM implementation, including planning and financial performance, are covered under the audit. The reasons behind cost escalations will also be examined across the states, said a source. According to sources, the CAG picks up a scheme for audit usually after 70-80% expenditure is over. The JJM started in 2019-20. In the initial years, the expenditure was low. Therefore, the CAG selected it for audit after the first phase was completed in 2023-24, said the source. Along with JJM, the CAG is also conducting a horizontal audit of MGNREGS across states and these reports are also expected to be finalised soon. The last time CAG conducted a nation-wide audit of the NREGS was in 2013. This is the first major audit of the JJM since its launch in 2019. The CAG had conducted a performance audit of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) of which a report was presented in 2018. It covered the period from 2012 to 2017. In 2019, the Centre subsumed the NRDWP to launch the JJM. Since then, this is the first audit exercise conducted by the CAG. The Centre has deployed over 100 teams of Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) for 'ground inspection' of the JJM schemes across the country. The move followed a meeting chaired by the Cabinet Secretary on May 8 to review the JJM schemes. Since the launch of the Mission in 2019, around 6.4 lakh water supply schemes with total estimated cost of Rs 8.29 lakh crore — more than double of the scheme's original outlay of Rs 3.6 lakh crore (Centre: Rs 2.08 lakh crore, States:1.52 lakh crore) — have been approved by the states. To meet the additional requirement of funds, the Jal Shakti Ministry had approached the Expenditure Finance Committee, headed by the Expenditure Secretary, to approve Rs 2.79 lakh crore additional Central funding over and above Rs 2.08 lakh crore. However, the EFC recommended only Rs 1.51 lakh crore as the Central share, which is 46% lower than Rs 2.79 lakh crore sought by the Jal Shakti Ministry, as reported by The Indian Express on April 21, 2023. On May 21, The Indian Express reported that an investigation of the data uploaded by states and UTs on the Jal Jeevan Mission dashboard showed that a crucial change in tender guidelines three years ago lifted the check on expenditure, and led to cost escalations. This resulted in additional costs totalling Rs 16,839 crore for 14,586 schemes, an increase of 14.58% from their estimated cost. The sources said the CAG has also initiated a horizontal audit of several other central schemes like Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, Welfare of Building and other Construction Workers, Green India Mission and Smart City Mission. The JJM audit will be similar to that. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
YSRCP observes 'Betrayal Day' with rally in Banaganapalle
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) marked June 4 as 'Betrayal Day' with a massive protest rally in Banaganapalle, led by former MLA Katasani Ramireddy on Wednesday. The rally began at the YSRCP office and proceeded to the Tahsildar's office, drawing large participation from party workers and leaders. The protest, in response to party chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's statewide call, targeted the ruling TDP-led alliance, accusing it of backtracking on key promises, including the "Super Six", and burdening the public with Rs.1.5 lakh crore in debt within a year. Ramireddy criticized the government for scrapping welfare schemes like free bus travel for women and doorstep ration delivery, imposing BCJR taxes on small businesses, and misusing the NREGS scheme. A memorandum demanding immediate implementation of poll promises was submitted to the Tahsildar. ZP Chairman Errabothula Papi Reddy, youth wing leader Gundam Nageshwar Reddy, and other district leaders participated. 'YSRCP 2.0 is coming — no betrayal will be forgiven,' declared Ramireddy.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh doubles horticulture subsidies to support chilli farmers in Palnadu
GUNTUR: Amid growing concerns over the viability of traditional crops like chilli, which occupy 46,000 out of 48,000 hectares of horticulture land in Palnadu district, the State government has significantly increased subsidies for horticulture crops for the 2025-26 financial year. The move is expected to boost the income of farmers and also horticulture. Speaking to TNIE, Palnadu District Horticulture Officer (DHO) Ramana Reddy said that over 90,000 farmers are engaged in horticulture in the district, out of which over 85% farmers are involved in chilli cultivation. However, the plummeting price of various chilli varieties led to widespread losses. 'To prevent losses and benefit the farmers, the State government has doubled subsidies for horticultural crops in 2025-26. This substantial increase will encourage more farmers to shift to horticulture, which offers better returns than traditional crops,' he said. The revamped support scheme includes not just the distribution of fruit saplings, but a comprehensive three-year subsidy covering maintenance, irrigation, fertilisers, and pesticides. Under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), small and marginal farmers with up to five acres of land are eligible for 100% subsidy-including free saplings and full support for orchard development.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh government mulls introducing direct benefit transfer for public distribution system beneficiaries
Vijayawada: Taking a serious view of the misuse of the public distribution system (PDS) rice, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said that the state govt is considering implementing direct benefit transfer (DBT) instead of providing rice through the public distribution system (PDS). Naidu stated that the 'ration mafia' has deeply infiltrated the system and is attempting to influence him, warning that strong action will be taken against them. Under the proposed DBT system, money will be directly deposited into the accounts of beneficiaries, allowing them to purchase essentials at their convenience. The chief minister also outlined plans for doorstep delivery of rations for people above 65 years and differently-abled individuals, while others can collect their rations from nearby shops with the flexibility to choose their preferred outlet. Naidu expressed concerns over the increasing incidence of diabetes in the Konaseema region, attributing it to high rice consumption. During a monthly pension program at Cheyyeru village in Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema district, Naidu interacted with women NREGS workers and extended financial assistance to two families who lost earning members due to diabetes-related complications. He also promised to provide employment to their daughters. The chief minister highlighted the govt's focus on creating 20 lakh job opportunities for youth and noted that the state is on track to achieve this goal, with ₹8.5 lakh crore investments already secured in the first year. Naidu also outlined various welfare schemes launched by the NDA government, including pension enhancements, free gas cylinders, financial assistance to fishermen, and power subsidies in the first year and assured to implement poll promises like Thalliki Vandanam, Annadata Sukhibhava and free bus for women by August 15. Naidu expressed concerns over the declining population and urged people to have at least two children. He said that despite having financial troubles, AP is ahead of all states in giving the highest pension to the poor. The previous govt destroyed every system, and AP was blacklisted by the Union govt. However, we restored 94 centrally sponsored schemes and cleared more than Rs 7,500 crore pending PF arrears to employees. Referring to the controversy over Pastor Praveen Pagadala's death, Naidu said that propaganda machines are trying hard to defame the govt. Similar attempts were made in TTD as if something happened. Naidu warned of stringent action against those making false allegations.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt targets ‘Blue Flag' tag for Suryalanka, Ramapuram beaches
Vijayawada: The state 20-point programme implementation committee chairman Lanka Dinakar has directed Bapatla district collector JV Murali to step up efforts to secure 'Blue Flag' status for Suryalanka beach in Bapatla and Ramapuram beach near Chirala. He suggested to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for developing a tourism circuit by branding and creating infrastructure, connecting the 103 km coastal area with the district's historical temples. Dinakar explained that the district got ₹97.5 crore for tourism development under Swadeshi darshan scheme and officials should work to improve the infrastructure at Suryalanka beach. He reviewed the progress of various state and central govt programmes with the officials in Bapatla district on Tuesday. Expressing serious displeasure at the irregularities in implementation of NREGS programme , Dinakar asked the district collector to submit a detailed report. Speaking on the occasion, Dinakar said that although, the district achieved 67.4 lakh workdays against 65 lakh person days target under NREGS during 2024-25 with a 103.69% completion rate, it has only spent Rs 90 crore against the available Rs 110 crore under material component. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tukarkan Bitcoin dan Ethereum - Tanpa Dompet Diperlukan! IC Markets MULAI SEKARANG Undo Similarly, out of a 195 crore budget for wages, 182 crore was utilised. Dinakar directed the officials to provide details of the budget and actual expenditure on material and labour components for the past five years, along with information on any funds spent in violation of regulations. He directed the district collector to investigate the quality of assets created through material component expenditure over the past five years and any expenditure made against regulations. "If the daily wage under the NREGS is ₹300, the district's average wage is ₹278, and efforts should be made to increase it. Additionally, eligible families utilised only an average of 40 workdays out of the mandated 100 workdays," he expressed with displeasure. Dinakar asked the officials to increase workday utilisation. He reviewed water management projects, particularly Amrita Sarovar works and asked the officials to complete early. He found that just around 430 farm ponds were completed out of a target of 4,000 to the district. He said that district achieved 95% of the horticulture plantation target covering 532 acres. Similarly, he said that the district was allocated a budget of 45 lakh workdays for 2025-26. About, 25.7% of these have already been completed, he said. Dinakar asked the officials to take measures to enhance employment and livelihood opportunities in agriculture, food, handloom industries, tourism, and the service sector, ensuring Bapatla's participation in a prosperous Andhra Pradesh and contributing to a developed India.
