Manipur minister directs GRS to re-verify job card holders

Our Correspondent

Imphal, May 2 (EMN): Manipur Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh on Saturday directed the Gram Rojgar Sevak (GRS) of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts to re-verify the list of all job-card holders under their respective jurisdictions and to delete bogus names.

The directive was given during an interaction meeting regarding implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) with Block Development Officers and GRS at the Panchayat Bhawan, State Institute of Rural Development today, official sources said.

MGNREGS has resumed in the state in this critical juncture to enhance rural livelihood, however, we have to ensure that all guidelines and protocols are followed strictly while implementing the scheme, he said.

We have altogether 5.69 lakh job-card holders and the government will provide mask procured from the state handloom and handicraft artisans to the beneficiaries. He said that they will also be provided hand sanitisers and all concerned should ensure that proper physical distancing is maintained at work sites.

Instructing GRS to check whether the person would be able to work before enrolment to the beneficiary list, he also told them to hold meetings with their respective GP members on the issue.

Biswajit also directed the BDOs to submit list of all incomplete works undertaken by Zilla Parishads, Pradhans and Local Area line under the MGNREGS. He said all such report should be accompanied by reasons of incompletion at the earliest so that further action can be undertaken.

On their part, the BDOs also highlighted that the officials faced several grievances including non-issuance of passbooks by banks to beneficiaries among others. The meeting was also attended by Additional Chief Secretary MH Khan and other officials of the department.

Stranded residents brought back

Around 87 stranded residents of the state were brought back from Guwahati to the state capital on Saturday.

The residents including students, who were on way to Manipur from different parts of the country, were forced to stay back in Guwahati due to sudden nationwide lockdown from March 24.

The residents who were stuck up at Manipur Bhavan, Guwahati were brought back by four special buses arranged by the government.

The buses arrived at Mao gate, a border hill town located along the Manipur-Nagaland border around 8.30 am and necessary screenings were conducted, official sources said. On their arrival, they were sent to a government centre for proper testing.