Report on MGNREGS to implement a new system

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The report on the model social audit on Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) carried out in Vilappil panchayat, which is with the State Government, has called for action to break the mate-centric working pattern.  The report suggests that a pilot project to implement a new system of mate selection must be carried out in Vilappil to cleanse out the system from their power-hold.  The `Express’ had carried a report on the model social audit in Vilappil in March 7, 2011 in these columns where the shocking incidents of corruption unearthed in the NREGS works in the panchayat were detailed. The audit carried out in the last week of February was shaped into a report by the State Level Audit Cell for NREGS which comes under the Local Self-Governance Department.  It is in this report that action has been recommended against all the mates in the Vilappil panchayat who were part of the 52 works which were brought under the scanner by the audit cell in Vilappil.  As of now, it is a member from the Area Development Society (ADS) of the Kudumbashree who takes the role of a mate in a ward for a particular work undertaken. ‘‘Instead of evolving into a pressure group demanding more work from the panchayat, what we saw in Vilappil and which is happening in most parts of the state, is that the mates align with the panchayat officials and wield power on the rest of the women,’’ an official of the social audit cell for NREGS said.  The report suggests that instead of the existing mates, a panel of women who have worked the most number of days under a NREGS work and those with matriculation-pass and satisfying the reservation pattern must be drawn up. Just like the way the Village Social Auditors are picked up through the Gramasabha, the mates must be picked up through the sabha or from the panel and must be given training. The fund for the selection and training of mates must be borne by the MGNREGS, the report says.  However, the government seems cautious as to commenting against the mates as it involves Kudumbashree and has political dimensions. When contacted,  Rural Development Minister K C Joseph said: ‘‘I am yet to view the report. I would comment only after going through it.’’ While sources revealed that the State Government had gone through the report three weeks ago and asked the Panchayat Directorate and Rural Development Commissioner to take necessary action, nothing had moved an inch. It is known that the UDF Government is keen to involve NGOs in carrying out MGNREGS and the report might just become a tool to do the same.