The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) has brought momentum in the financial inclusion of our rural population. Speaking on the occasion of 8th MNREGA Diwas in New Delhi today, Dr Singh said, over four crore bank accounts have been opened under MNREGA and it will help in implementing direct benefits transfer scheme rural population of the country.

The Prime minister said, over 8 crore people have been benefitted in this scheme. He said women participation is over 47 per cent in this scheme and it is a great step to empower women in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said, there is a need to check misutilisation of funds and corruption in MNREGA. She said, MNREGA can play a big role in fulfilling dreams of second green revolution. Mrs Gandhi said there is a need to remove bottle-necks in participation of women in MNREGA scheme. She said there is a need to strengthen the panchayatiraj systems in the country.

The Prime minister and UPA chairperson gave away awards to few district collectors and sarpanchs where exemplary works have been done under the MNREGA.