Ahmedabad, June 15 (IANS) The Gujarat High Court Thursday issued notice to the state government over alleged irregularities in a rural employment scheme after a widow told the court that she was paid only four rupees per day instead of the stipulated minimum wage of Rs.60.
Mashruben Makwana of Sabarkantha district had filed the petition in the court earlier this week alleging irregularities in the National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) scheme.
Mashruben, a widow from Balisana village, 55 km from here, said she was also asked to get her own digging implements, for which she had to sell the jewellery she had. She was enrolled in the scheme from Feb 20 to March 10.
The court asked the government to explain the matter by June 30.
"The court was surprised over the content of the petition and sought an immediate report and all concerned documents," said Mukul Sinha, who pleaded on behalf of the widow.
According to a voluntary organisation, Sabar Ekta Manch, 165,766 employment cards were issued to the people, but only 19,639 people are found working at 175 sites.
The NREG scheme of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government promises at least 100 days of employment every financial year to able-bodied adults who volunteer for unskilled manual labour in selected districts.
In Gujarat, the scheme is being implemented in six districts.
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