SC: NREGA funds should be released for drought-hit states

April 14, 2016 Hot from the Oven Valli Sarvani No comments

The Supreme Court has stated that Central government should release the NREGA funds on time to help the drought hit states. The court urged the government to release the funds for MGNREGA so that they can help the drought-affected states immediately.

A bench which has been led by Justice Madan B Lokur observed that the money should be release by Central Government in advance. This will ensure that the work does not get affected. The bench said that criticizing the government is not what they want. However, they said that the main point is about the delay in payments which is undeniable and unacceptable.

Furthermore, the court also ordered the Center to submit a detailed chart regarding the 10 drought hit states. The chart is supposed to include the number of people and districts in the state affected by the drought. This includes the villages too. The court also wanted details regarding the notification on declaration of drought and the budgetary allocations of NDRF and State Disaster Response Fund.

Additional Solicitor General P S Narasimha has argued in favor of the Central Government. He said that the states have complete power to declare drought in the state. He also added that the only role of the Center is to provide funds to the sates if required and placing a monitoring system for the drought.

He said that once the drought has been declared by states, there will be incidental steps like providing money and other relief work. He said towards the court, that they can pass an order if it feels that state should have declared drought.

The bench of the SC has questioned Narasimha about the Center’s role when a state has not declared drought but the situation is serious. He replied to that question saying that in a federal structure, the state has complete responsibility when it comes to declaring a drought.

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