In view of irregular and deficient monsoon rains, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday asked to continuemployment-oriented work for the needy under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)..
The district Collectors and chief executive officers of Zila Panchayats have been calling for continuation of MGNREGA and also to sanction new work as per requirement. It would help to ensure employment in the villages, an official communication said.
Chhattisgarh has recorded an average rainfall of 113.5 mm till June 27. In the current year, it is almost 50 percent less than the average rainfall of 229.7 mm in the same period last year.
About seven districts have recorded 40 percent less rainfall. Many districts have been hit by deficient monsoon.
Jashpur district recorded 72 percent deficiency followed by Surguja (63 percent), Balrampur (60), Raipur (56), Durg (48) besides Kondagaon and Kanker (47 percent each).
Low rainfall has affected the rain-fed agriculture in these districts, with less sowing of Kharif crops as compared to last year.
Till June 27 last year, the sowing area of Kharif crops was 4,76,000 hectares in the state. Now, the sowing area is just 2,27,000 hectares due to low rainfall.