Ahmedabad, Sep 14 (IANS) Gujarat was criticised Thursday by activists for being slack in implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).
Saying that lack of political will was the reason for the failure of the scheme, the activists alleged that the state failed to use funds that poured in from the centre.
According to official data, the government received Rs.1.7 billion for implementation of NREGS this year, but only Rs.230 million was spent. Of the amount spent, Rs.186.7 million reached 8,949,618 people in six districts by July 31.
Harinesh Pandya of Janpath, an umbrella organisation of NGOs in the state, said: "There was no political will to implement the programme and bureaucrats couldn't adapt to the new concept. They tried to implement the programme as if they were giving relief."
NGOs also demanded implementation of the NREGS beyond the selected six districts and stretch it to coastal areas.
"Heavy industrialisation along the coastline has proved hazardous for ecology resulting in salinity increase in the Saurashtra and Kutch seashore. This has posed serious threat to agriculture and people are now forced to migrate in search of livelihood," said D.S. Ker of Gram Vikas Trust in Okha Mandal in Saurashtra.