Chinese delegation evinces keen interest in MGNREGA

A visiting Chinese delegation led by the representatives from the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development of China (LGoP), Fan Xiaojian calling on the Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj C.P. Joshi, in New Delhi on August 26, 2010. Minister of State for Rural Development, Pradeep Jain is also seen.

A visiting Chinese delegation has evinced keen interest in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and other poverty reduction initiatives launched by the Government and said that China could learn from them.

The delegation, led by Mr Fan Xiaojian and consisting of representatives from the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development of China (LGoP), called on Union Minister of Rural Development C P Joshi who briefed them about the programmes here yesterday.

The delegation was accompanied by the representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), an official press release said.

Mr Joshi emphasised the role of MGNREGA as one of the unique initiatives undertaken by the Government to guarantee 100 days of work along with minimum wages of Rs. 100 per day as a means to provide assured employment and empower the rural people.

He said that Information and Communication Technology was now being used in a big way in the implementation of the programmes, ensuring in the process the entitlements and the rights of the people in a transparent manner.

The focus is on the issues faced by the poor and with the help of MGNREGA, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the Indira Awas Yojana and the National Rural Drinking Water Programme, the Ministry of Rural Development is working in this direction, he said.

Mr Fan said both India and China were today facing similar challenges in tackling the issues related to the reduction of poverty. He said the manner in which India weathered the global financial meltdown had been a learning experience.

He said that China, which is developing a new strategy of poverty reduction, looked forward to learning and sharing from India's experience, especially with regard to the MGNREGA.

NNN