Implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Meghalaya has a 99 per cent success rate.
This was stated by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Bharati Pravin Pawar who visited East Jaiñtia Hills district yesterday to review the progress of the implementation of various central government schemes.
The Minister said that East Jaiñtia Hills district is particularly successful in implementation of the MGNREGA “Last year, we received a budget of 33 crores for MGNREGA, benefiting more than 25,000 households. This year, we are providing the budget as per the increased demand,” she announced.
Pawar during the meeting also discussed about the PM Awas Yojana and informed that the budget sanctioned covers 882 households and efforts are on to allocate additional budget for more pucca houses.
She also appreciated the proper implementation of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) in the district, which supports people through Self Help Groups (SHGs). Stating that SHGs are a positive government initiative, Pawar said that malnourished children are identified through the SHGs for health checkups by the health department in remote areas.
Pawar further highlighted that the Public Works Department (PWD) allocated 126 crores last year for constructing a 39-km road connecting eight villages. This road will benefit residents along the India-Bangladesh border and is targeted for completion within the next year and a half, added the Minister.
On Primary Health Care (PHC) centres, the Minister mentioned that the budget has increased from Rs. 1.80 crore in 2022 to Rs. 2.60 crore this year. She explained that the centre under Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission has allocated budgets of Rs 1.23 crore and Rs 2.20 crore for strengthening diagnostic labs and sub-centres, respectively.
“The Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY), the largest insurance scheme, provides up to five lakhs for family tertiary care. Till date, 17,000 patients from the district have benefited from emergency treatment and operations, with claims totalling over 10 crores,” Pawar informed.
She also mentioned the centre’s efforts in tuberculosis elimination at PHC and Health and Wellness Centres (HWC). “We are providing free treatment at home through PHCs. With HWCs, our aim is to screen for breast cancer, cervical cancer, hypertension, diabetes, etc.,” she said.
The Minister thanked the State administrators for achieving 88 per cent institutional deliveries so far in the current year. “The institutional recovery increased from 54 per cent in the year 2021-22 to 76 per cent last year. This year, it is about 88 per cent. We aim to provide institutional delivery facilities and reach high-risk groups. Regarding HIV, our goal is to offer medicines, counselling, lab tests, etc., through ART centres.
She also informed that the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) provided three crores to 180 families. “PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi benefits 10,000 farmers, providing Rs. 6000 directly to their bank accounts,” she added, mentioning the coverage of Jal Jeevan Mission. “In the district we cover about 192 villages. Out of this, nearly 42 villages have been completed. We are providing 186 crores for providing fresh water to the people.”
Similarly, the central government has granted over seven crores to support fisheries in Meghalaya, she added.
The Minister also visited Dkhiah Village Health & Wellness Centre and interacted with the ANMs, ASHA and other Health workers. At Tuber Kmaishnong Village Pawar interacted with Village Health Council Members.
