Health insurance smart card may be used for NREGS : MGNREGS news updates compiled by FES (May 15 - 31, 2011)

Main highlights in this update:

• Health insurance smart card may be used for NREGS: The government is exploring whether it can use the biometric smart cards issued for its flagship health insurance scheme to stop misappropriation of funds under its rural employment scheme.
  
  
• Shrink PDS & rework NREGA, World Bank tells India: A World Bank review of India’s social sector programmes has suggested a smaller public distribution system with more cash transfer, reworking of NREGA as a public works programme for urban areas and finally, a social security package including health care for those without regular employment.
  
  
• Funds freeze on two districts: The Centre has held back Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme funds earmarked for Latehar and Bokaro in light of recent murders of a labourer and activist, but agreed to release dues for 2011-12 fiscal for other districts of Jharkhand, a state already under the scanner for poor implementation of the flagship job scheme.
  
  
• The other side of food inflation: Farm labour costs rise 50% in two years: Everyone knows how much food prices have risen in the last few years. Not everyone, however, knows how much costs have spiralled for those who produce the food you and I eat.

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