Rural employment scheme to be launched in AP village

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will jointly launch the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme at Bandlapalli village under Narpala Mandal in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh on February 2.

Singh and Gandhi will also take part in the grama sabha that would be held in the village and later address a public meeting, according to an official release.

Later, the UPA chairperson will distribute job cards to the selected beneficiaries of the scheme. According to sources, the Centre's decision to choose Anantapur for the launch of NREGS has significance against the backdrop of the district hitting headlines following large number of suicides by debt-ridden farmers and the area's permanent drought conditions.

NREGS is a first of its kind scheme, which would give wages even if the government fails to provide work to the beneficiaries. According to official sources, the scheme is likely to provide employment guarantee to nearly one lakh people in the district.

Meanwhile, according to sources, Andhra Pradesh government is making fool proof security arrangements for the programme.