Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday addressed the panchayat presidents and secretaries of the state through a telephone conference.
He urged them to ensure the resumption of works under schemes like MGNREGA while maintaining social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols.
Sonowal further said that no corrupt practices take place while implementing those schemes.
“Disbursal of MGNREGA wages to job cardholders should be ensured so that the distressed people in rural areas can get the benefit of the scheme,” he said.
He also directed the panchayat presidents and secretaries to ensure social distancing, wearing of a mask and keeping provision for soap and water and for handwashing.
He further asked each panchayat to purchase 2000 masks from SHGs which can be distributed among the workers.
Sonowal further called on the panchayat presidents and secretaries to ensure genuine beneficiaries get their dues and no one is deprived due to irregularities.
“Corrupt practices in the implementation of government schemes would bring a bad name to the entire government machinery,” he said.
He also directed the panchayat presidents and secretaries to make sure that no genuine beneficiary is from different government schemes.
Sonowal also highlighted the need to overcome the economic challenges posed by COVID-19.
“To achieve this, we will need to resume several economic activities by following social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols,” Sonowal said.
“Proper implementation of schemes like MGNREGA, free rice distribution to beneficiaries etc. must be ensured in this time of crisis,” he said.
Over 3000 participants took part on Thursday’s interaction programme.