G.O.(Ms). No.22, MGNREGS Rural Infrastructure Works, 2022

What the government order covers

G.O.(Ms). No.22, issued by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department on 8 March 2022, approves standalone rural infrastructure works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The approved programme includes:

• 450 culverts with a 1.5 metre span.
• 400 culverts with a 3 metre span.
• 350 minor bridges.
• 650 kilometres of compound walls.
• 100 food grain godowns.
• 100 milk collection centres.
• 388 kitchen sheds.

The works had been approved by the Empowered Committee of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.

Land and site requirements

G.O.(Ms). No.22 contains site conditions that may be relevant to Panchayats, schools, cooperative societies and people involved in providing land for public facilities.

• Food grain godowns must be built on land vested with the Government or a Panchayat Raj Institution. If such land is unavailable, efforts may be made to obtain land through donations or other means.
• Food grain godown sites should be within habitations. Sites far from habitations should be avoided.
• Land for a milk collection centre must be registered in the name of the society. The District level primary milk producer cooperative society must be consulted when societies are selected and prioritised.
• Milk collection centres must follow the design and drawing suggested by Aavin.

Selection of transport and school works

G.O.(Ms). No.22 prioritises culverts and minor bridges on roads connecting habitations, Taluk and Panchayat headquarters, marketing centres, educational centres and health centres. Damaged cross-drainage structures and structures with insufficient vent capacity may also be selected.

School compound walls are intended for government-run schools in rural areas. Priority is based on factors including Mission Antyodaya villages, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana villages, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and hilly areas, student strength, proximity to roads or watercourses, and existing walls. For High Schools and Higher Secondary Schools, the Chief Educational Officer must obtain a No Objection Certificate from the Public Works Department before the Collector gives administrative sanction.

Kitchen sheds should be prioritised where none is available and the need is greatest. Student strength must also be considered.

Funding arrangement

G.O.(Ms). No.22 states that the Government of India bears the full labour cost. Material costs are shared between the Government of India and the State Government in the ratio specified in the order.