The current government has obtained 347.87 crores for the year 2008-09 from the Union Ministry of Rural Development in favor of four districts- Sirmour, Chamba, Kangra and Mandi under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Assurance (NREGA) programme.
The entire state had been brought under the cover of the NREGA from 1st April this year while two districts of Chamba and Sirmour were initially selected for implementation of the scheme in the first phase and Kangra and Mandi districts were added during the second phase of the scheme. P.K.Dhumal, CM added that a sum of 23.70 crores had been sanctioned for Sirmour district, 68.82 crores for Chamba, 113.81 crore for Kangra and Rs.141.54 crore for Mandi. He further said that the programme was aimed at generating employment to the rural masses and brings on improvements in villages. So far 5,20,203 persons had been registered and issued job cards under the programme. The CM also appealed to the Members of the Legislative Assembly to motivate people of their respective areas to register themselves while advising the Panchayati Raj Institution office bearers to create mass awareness amongst the people about the scheme.
