MGNREGA creates livelihood opportunities, Govt focus on reducing migration

Jharkhand Govt is focusing on reducing distress migration and MGNREGA is being used for this.

Ranchi: Since the onset of the first wave of novel coronavirus, migrant workers who hail from Jharkhand have been returning to the state.

The state government’s prime concern was to provide livelihood opportunities to these returnee migrants.

Given this, the state government led by Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren rolled out multiple schemes under MGNREGA to employ returnee migrants near their homes or within their village circle. Schemes were designed in such a way that they would help create sustainable irrigation assets for the farmers and provide long term livelihood solutions.

Rapidly growing man-days under MGNREGA

If we look at the records, between the year 2018-20 i.e., in 2 financial years, a total of 1,178.09 lakh man-days were created under MGNREGA, whereas in the FY year 2020- 21, 1176.1 Lakh man-days were created. Moving ahead, in the current financial year 2021-22(within 4 months), more than 489.82 lakh man workdays have been created so far.

As the financial year, 2021-22 is progressing more man-days will be added further. The government is paying special attention to the schemes under MGNREGA. Amongst all 24 districts in the state, Giridih tops the list with the highest number of man workdays created, followed by Garhwa, Deoghar, Palamu, Dumka, Jamtara, Hazaribagh, Chatra and others.

Efforts to reduce distress migration from the state

New employment opportunities have been created in the state through MNREGA. Even amid the challenges of Covid-19, MNREGA has proved to be a big support for the workers in rural areas.

Due to the spread of the pandemic, when all the businesses were at a standstill, livelihood was provided to the workers through MGNREGA in rural areas. Apart from the above, the state government has also increased the daily wage of MGNREGA from Rs 194 to Rs 225 per day.

Now, the workers are being paid remuneration at an increased rate. The state government is constantly making efforts to ensure that the workers get employment in their village and they need not face distress migration.

Development in rural areas boosted through MGNREGA

While workers have got employment through MGNREGA, development work has also got a boost in rural areas. Various schemes are being implemented through MGNREGA.

These schemes include Nilambar-Pitamber Jal Samridhi Yojana, Poto Ho Khel Yojana and Birsa Harit Gram Yojana. Under the Nilambar Pitamber Jal Samridhi Yojana, a large number of check dams, trench cum bunds (TCBs) are being constructed in rural areas. These schemes have helped in rainwater conservation in rural areas. Rainwater is being conserved even in barren and sand lands.

Similarly, playgrounds are being developed in rural areas under the Poto Ho Khel Vikas Yojana. Villagers are getting livelihood opportunities while creating an asset for their village. Along with this, a culture of sports is also developing in extremely rural areas of the state.

Under the Birsa Harit Gram Yojana, the government aims to plant five crore saplings across the state and create a long-term livelihood solution for the farmers of the state. With the convergence of multiple schemes through MGNREGA, the government aims to boost the rural economy while creating a long-term sustainable livelihood solution.