In view of less than normal rainfall in the country as predicted by the Met Department, the Union Rural Development Ministry has identified a set of labour-intensive jobs to be executed by the States to bring maximum rural labour under the ambit of MGNREGA.
It has also set up a cell to monitor the situation arising out of the anticipated drought like situation when there is a fear of low agricultural activities which forces the rural labour to look for employment being provided under the rural job scheme, said a senior official from the Rural Development Ministry.He elaborated that the focus would be on the works that would create assets aiming to meet the water requirements such as renovation of traditional water bodies including de-silting of irrigation tanks and ponds.
“Also, in areas which are likely to be more affected by the drought, the states can take up projects like micro and minor irrigation works and creation, renovation and maintenance of irrigation canals and drains.Similarly, they have been asked to focus on water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment and improve ground water situation like underground dykes, earthen dams, stop dams, check dams, etc. Drought proofing works such as avenue plantation, development of barren/fallow lands, nursery raising, etc can also be taken up in a big way as to ensure better water management as well focus on creating quality assets.
“They have been asked to take up the identified works under MGNREGA during the next three months in order to minimise the adverse effects of anticipated drought and furnish fortnightly reports to the Ministry,” the official added.The committee, comprising two officials RK Sood and Rajesh Makkar, will also seek action taken reports from all the States on a regular basis.
The move is part of the Central Government’s plan to handle a drought like situation in case of inadequate rains. The Centre has already doled out a set of advisories to the States such as ensuring availability of seeds to the farmers and initiating drought mitigation measures which include constructing water harvesting structures, promoting cultivation of less water consuming crops and replacing faulty pumps.