The rural economy in Chhattisgarh remains strong despite the nationwide lockdown implemented to control the Covid-19 pandemic owing to the extensive works started under MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) in the state.
After the lockdown began, a total of ₹ 548 crore 41 lakhs of wages have been paid in April alone, both for new and old works. The state government has also released ₹ 210 crores for payment of material head.
According to officials, an additional ₹ 76 crore 94 lakhs will also be released soon for further employment of 50 days.
The payments amid Covid-19 has increased the purchasing power of the villagers, besides freeing them from employment concerns, an official said.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development T.S. Singhdev have called for a large number of MGNREGA works to provide relief to villages in the present difficult conditions.
On April 1, at the start of fiscal 2020-21, the number of MGNREGA workers in Chhattisgarh was only 57,536. In view of the need of work in villages in the current phase of lockdown, MGNREGA works started by the government are in full swing.
At the end of April, the number of workers had reached 19,85,166.
During this period, more than one crore 23 lakh man-days of employment was provided to 10,24,000 families. The process of payment of wages was speedily completed. The total payment to workers in April was more than ₹ 200 crores.
