New Delhi:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act or MGNREGA - UPA's flagship scheme - has accelerated the pace of financial inclusion in villages, and accounts opened under the programme would help in the direct cash benefit transfer scheme of the government.
Speaking at the MGNREGA anniversary function in New Delhi, Dr Singh said that over four crore bank accounts have been opened after the implementation of the scheme, and many more have been started in post offices.
"These accounts will also help in the direct cash benefit transfer scheme," he said.
MGNERGA is one of the biggest poverty alleviation schemes in the world, the Prime Minister added.
In her address, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi said that there were some complaints about misuse of money under the scheme, and that needed to be curbed.
Mrs Gandhi said that there is a need for timely social audit.
"MGNREGA has potential to increase agricultural production and it can play a role in realising the aim of a second green revolution," she said.
MGNREGA jobs scheme aims at enhancing the livelihood security of villagers by guaranteeing 100 days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members would perform unskilled manual work.