Andhra Pradesh has bagged the first place in implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), according to a press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office on Sunday.

The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, who is in New Delhi for a conference of Chief Ministers, met the Union minister for rural development, Mr C.P. Joshi, and requested him to grant additional works under the NREGS. Mr Joshi appreciated the efforts of the state government for effectively implementing the NREGS and “Abhayahastam”, an unique pension scheme for Dwcra women who are above 60 years.

Mr Rosaiah directed the principal secretary, Mr R. Subramanyam, to extend the coverage of the NREGS to 22 lakh families in the state by the end of March.

The state government had dismissed 3,241 employees for corruption while implementing NREGS. It also suspended 151 people and recovered a sum of Rs 4.82 crore from them.

Mr Rosaiah lauded the officials for initiatives like social audit, direct payment through post office accounts and smart cards. As on date, 1.14 crore job cards were provided to 68,979 households in 21,858 gram panchayats and 1,098 mandals of 22 districts in the state.