The government has decided to provide an additional 50 days of manual work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the current financial year in those regions where drought has been declared. The MGNREGA otherwise provides 100 days of assured work to each rural family.
“This will enable states to provide additional wage employment to rural poor in drought-affected areas. The poorest rural households will benefit from this, as it will help in immediate absorption of rural seasonal unemployment, and reduce rural distress,” an official release on Monday said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday assured all possible help to drought-hit areas of Maharashtra and cope with severe water and fodder shortages in parts of Marathwada and Western Maharashtra.
A PTI report said the PM gave the assurance to NCP chief and former Union minister Sharad Pawar when he apprised him about the gravity of the scarcity situation in parts of the state.
Pawar, who has been spearheading the agitation for a better deal to people in the state facing the drought, later told reporters that the Prime Minister told him that all possible efforts will be made to provide succour. Pawar had recently also met chief minister Devendra Phadnavis on the issue.