The focus of the Government is to ensure both wage employment generation and creation of quality assets through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Replying to a Calling Attention Motion in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of Rural Development Birender Singh said the government has taken several measures to ensure the creation of productive and sustainable assets. He said the government is laying emphasis on ensuring transparency and accountability in the implementation of the programme.

Earlier, initiating the Calling Attention in post lunch session, D.Raja of the CPI criticised the move of the government to introduce changes in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme by reducing the wage component of the fund allocation and restricting the areas of work.

Kanimozhi of DMK, nominated member Ashok S. Ganpathi and several other members also raised their concerns regarding diluting the essence of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.