In order to ensure inclusion of over five lakh workers in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in the state, Gujarat's Rural Development Department has entered into an agreement with the Centre.

The department has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Posts, Government of India, for timely and proper payment of wages, and delivery of other financial services to the workers.

D K S Chauhan, Postmaster General, Gujarat Circle, said that according to the MoU, the disbursement of wages to NREGS workers will be through post offices by opening savings account.

"The dues will be deposited in the post office nearest to the work place of the workers. They can withdraw money as per their convenience," Chauhan said.

Officials said that programme officers and additional programme officers of the NREGS are the key persons at the block level to implement the scheme. They along with the panchayat secretary and self-help groups will facilitate opening of bank accounts, withdrawal, filling of forms, and attesting the left thumb impressions for illiterate workers among others.

The MoU also mentions provision for accidental insurance to the workers under the scheme. This will be provided to individual workers duly linking it to the post office savings bank account through Oriental Insurance Company.

e-payment for workers
The Department of Rural Development, in collaboration with National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Department of Post, will soon come up with an electronic payment system for the NREGS workers. Under this system, the wages will be directly credited in the savings accounts of the workers without any manual intervention. The workers will also be provided with Smart Cards serving the dual purpose of identification and electronic passbook.