Gadwal: District Collector B.M. Santosh has instructed officials to keep all records and documents related to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) up to date and easily accessible. He gave these directions during a one-day training session for officials at the IDOC meeting hall in Gadwal.
The Collector emphasized that MGNREGA works must be carried out in an organized manner. Since the new financial year has started, he urged officials to begin large-scale employment projects and ensure that workers receive 100 days of wage employment. He stressed the importance of accurate record-keeping for all projects.
He also asked that information about works done over the last three years—whether finished or still ongoing—should be kept by Panchayat Secretaries. These secretaries should fully understand the project plans and cost estimates. The Collector added that the goal should not only be to provide work but also to create useful public assets like orchards, water tanks, storage systems, and roads.
The Collector announced that the daily wage under MGNREGA has increased from ₹300 to ₹307. He told officials to plan projects in a way that meets the employment demand.
He ordered officials to carefully maintain seven specific registers for MGNREGA. These will be checked during field visits starting April 20. He warned that failure to maintain proper records would lead to strict action.
Regarding the Indiramma Housing Scheme, the Collector said that only eligible people should be selected for benefits, and the selection process must be transparent. He warned of serious consequences if corruption is found.
On the issue of unauthorized housing layouts, he said applications for regularization will be accepted until April 30. He encouraged officials to resolve as many pending cases as possible before then.
To prevent a shortage of drinking water during the summer, he asked officials to check water availability in every village. He instructed them to ensure continuous water supply using borewells, tankers, or other options. Repairs to borewells and motors should be done without delay.
He also urged officials to implement the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme effectively, which supports youth development. Applications under this scheme will be accepted until April 14.
Addressing the issue of child marriages, the Collector said that areas like Gattu, Kethudoddi, and Maldakal have reported many such cases. He directed Village Secretaries to raise awareness and take steps to stop the practice.
Several officials attended the training, including Additional Collector Narsinga Rao, In-charge DPO Nagendram, MPDOs, MPOs, APOs, Panchayat Secretaries, Field Assistants, and others.
Analysis: Progress Amid Ongoing Concerns
The Collector’s speech shows a strong push for better transparency and implementation of government programs. However, recent reports suggest that not everything is going smoothly.
There have been serious complaints about corruption and poor management under the MGNREGA scheme. Social audits have found misuse of funds and carelessness by officials in many villages. People are now using social media to share videos and evidence of these problems, tagging authorities directly.
This shows a gap between official orders and what is actually happening on the ground. While the administration is trying to bring reforms, corruption and inefficiency at the local level are still major issues.
With public trust declining and online platforms giving citizens a voice, the upcoming inspections starting April 20 will be important. They will reveal whether the government’s efforts can really improve the system or if they will remain just promises on paper.
