MGNREGA emerges as important source of employment during pandemic

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 1

The flagship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) emerged as a crucial source of employment to wage seekers in the country, especially the returnee migrant labourers, during the Covid-induced national lockdown.

The highest ever 344 crore person-days employment has been generated so far this financial year (2020-21). It is about 44 per cent higher than the corresponding period last fiscal.

As many as 1.69 crore new job cards were issued this year as compared to about 69 lakh in previous year, reflecting the succor MGNREGA provided to the migrant workers going back to their villages.

This has also resulted in creation of around 72 lakh durable and useful assets. A total of 4.29 crore assets have been geo-tagged with the coordinated efforts of the Union and states governments.

"The total person-days generated under the MGNREGA during the current financial year included 52 per cent women person-days," Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said at a programme last week.

"This reflects significant participation of women in the programme."

Under the scheme, priority is accorded to creating individual assets and assets on water conservation/irrigation which would help the agriculture sector.

With an aim to achieve transparency and accountability, the government has been taking steps to achieve 100 per cent payment of wages in the bank accounts of MGNREGA workers and accordingly emphasise on social audit of works.

During the current financial year, an all-time high Rs 1,11,500 crore has been allocated to the flagship programme. A sum of about Rs 93,000 core has already been released to the states and UTs.

The government's determination to arrange for additional funds for the programme in case of need has also been advertised.