Madanrting became the first census town in the State to receive the benefits of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Altogether 29 census towns in the East Khasi Hills district will be included under the scheme.
It may be mentioned that the MGNREGS in census towns of Meghalaya was launched by the State government on July 12 after the Government of India clarified that the scheme is applicable in rural areas and since census towns have not been notified as urban areas nor cantonment areas, it can operate in census towns.
In the past, census towns could not derive benefits from neither the urban schemes nor the rural schemes.
Nongkrem MLA and MDC, Lambor Malngiang who unveiled the foundation stone to celebrate the inclusion of Madanrting in the scheme, said that the scheme which aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year will go a long way in securing the future of the people of the area.
Besides providing economic security and creating rural assets, the scheme will enable families to save money as they will be able to work closer to their homes, he stated.
He informed that with the convergence of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Swachh Bharat Mission, beneficiaries will now receive aid for affordable housing, access to clean drinking water and construction of toilets.
Stressing on the support that the schemes provides for women and also for the creation of self-help groups, Malngiang urged the people of the area to come forward and avail the benefits of the MGNREGS which will go a long way in changing the landscape of Madanrting, he asserted.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Isawanda Laloo said that MNREGA is a community owned scheme and the success of the scheme largely depends on people’s participation.
Informing that there are around 260 types of work that can be done under the scheme, she reiterated on the importance of people using the scheme to find solutions to address problems caused due to urban growth. She expressed hope that MNREGA will evoke a Self Help Group movement in the area which will go a long way in the economic empowerment of women.
Others who spoke were Nongthymmai MDC Latiplang Kharkongor and Mylliem C&RD Block BDO, P. T. Passah.
