The rural development ministry has come out with the first list of people who could be the part of a 100 eminent citizens group responsible for third party assessment of NREGA.

“A list of 65 names with their identification has been put on the ministry’s website and people have been asked to give their opinion on them. Once vetted by the public, these 65 people will become part of the monitoring group,” said an official. Other 35 names would be put on the website soon.

The RD ministry, which is overseeing the NREGA, had invited applications from eminent citizens last month to become part of an independent monitoring group.

Those who have applied include, among others, retired judges,  secretaries of states and secretaries of the central government, vice chancellors, members of defence forces above the rank of brigadier; social activists, academicians and scientists, editors and journalists with press information bureau accreditation.

After the ministry receives the feedback from public, the screening committee will finalise the names.

The members of the group will be required to visit the earmarked districts once a year and spend six days there interviewing various officials, workers and other stakeholders to assess implementation of the scheme.