Odisha Govt Targets To Cover 20 Lakh Workers Under MGNREGA

Bhubaneswar: With the state government setting a target to provide daily work to 20 lakh labourers under the MGNREGA, Panchayati Raj Minister Pratap Jena has directed the officials to take steps to provide livelihood to migrant workers who have returned in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Reviewing the progress of MGNREGA works at a meeting, the minister said since 16.14 lakh workers are already engaged under the scheme, the officials should gear up to achieve the target. Till date, 2.39 crore mandays have been created against the target of 20 crore for this financial year, he added.

Stating that the government focus is on 20 blocks in Kalahandi, Balangir, Bargarh, and Nuapada districts, the minister said 1.98 lakh workers are already engaged under the MGNREGA in the four districts.

As per the government target, the labourers will be engaged in planting saplings in 23,134 hectare of land, excavate one lakh ponds and build 2049 Anganwadi buildings. In order to take up these works, the government has sanctioned Rs 689.50 crore to Forests and Environment department, Rs 1139 crore to the Directorate of Soil Conservation, Rs 146.26 crore to the State Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Department, Rs 102.94 crore to the Department of Water Resources and Rs 26.97 lakh for silk cultivation.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water department,  Director, Special Project, PR&DW department, Rajesh Prabhakar Patil and other officials.