The allocation now stands at Rs.194,933 crore ($38 billion), up from Rs.90,014 crore ($18 billion) for the 10th plan period.

The action plan says the works allotted under the job guarantee programme is limited to unskilled manual work and draws from the need for reform suggested by President Pratibha Patil in her most recent address to the joint session of parliament.

Accordingly, the action plan envisages convergence of other rural development programmes undertaken by other ministries like those for water resources, forests and environment and agriculture ministries.

An equal emphasis has also been laid on ensuring that the programmes are free from corruption and implemented properly.

'Social audit of the schemes will be enforced and grievances settled by ombudsmen at district levels,' the official said, adding it will also be mandatory on the part of state governments to submit action-taken reports.

Similarly, accountability and transparency will be ensured while implementing the Bharat Nirman (national reconstruction) programme of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that is being jointly executed by various ministries.

For this purpose, the ministers concerned will publicise the Bharat Nirman quarterly reports on the progress of various schemes through the media. The rural development ministry on its part will submit a countrywide annual employment report to the Planning Commission.

The Commission will shortly provide the ministry with guidelines on what the annual reports should include, says the ministry document.

(Darshan Desai can be contacted at darshan.d@ians.in)