RD& PR officials clarify on masks issue

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 8 : Officials of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RD&PR) Department have clarified that face masks of job card holders can be procured under MGNREGS Administrative Expenditure.
Responding to a news item which said that a vigilance probe in connection with the purchase of protective masks is likely, the officials maintained that the Department had purchased three layered masks manufactured by Village Level Federations (VLFs) formed by Self Help Groups under the supervision of Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission for the use of  MGNREGS job card holders and there is "nothing wrong" in it.
An official said that the Ministry of Rural Development had instructed Manipur State Livelihood Mission to lead VLFs in manufacturing face masks, PPEs and hand sanitizers etc.
Saying that the officials have not acted on their own by instructing to prepare and buy masks, the officials pointed out that the Department had incorporated views and approval of the Law Department to complete the process.
To help VLFs get an economic stimulus during the COVID-19 crisis, they were advised to manufacture the masks, which were later procured by the Department using the fund (6 percent earmarked for permissible activities) under MGNREGS Administrative Expenditure, said the officials while clarifying that no fund was misused or norms were flouted in the procurement process.
As per the orders of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Home Affairs, job card holders while undertaking MGNREGA works should follow strict safety measures including compulsory use of face masks and alcohol based hand sanitizers in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and as such the VLFs were allowed to manufacture the masks.
The officials while showcasing the three layered masks procured by the Department (RD&PR) to media persons, said that it (masks) will ensure safety of the job card holders and at the same time help women in village level self help groups generate income.
The three layered masks the Department procured are being manufactured by 28 VLFs in Imphal East district at the rate of Rs 25 per mask, the officials remarked. Earlier, Imphal East and Tengnoupal were shortlisted for the preparation of the masks but the latter district was ignored for proposing exceptional high charge (Rs 45 per unit).