People could not get guarantee of employment in the Panchayats of Himachal Pradesh. symbolic photo
Yadvendra Sharma, Shimla. Development work has slowed down in the Panchayats of Himachal Pradesh. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGA), it is mandatory to provide 100 days of employment to the job card holding families, but till now only 1.25 percent i.e. 11732 families out of the total 9.41 lakh active job card families in Himachal have received it.
Last year the number was more
In the financial year 2024-25, more than 1.10 lakh families got 100 days of employment, while in 2023-24 this number was more than 76 thousand. In view of the arrival of winter and the upcoming elections, now very few families will be able to complete 100 days of employment.
How many job cards are active?
There are a total of 15.41 lakh job card holder families in the state, out of which 9.41 lakh are active. Only the families working under the scheme are considered active.
Decision taken to work for 150 days due to disaster
Due to the disaster in the state, Himachal Government has decided to reduce the work under the scheme from 100 days to 150 days per family. There was a provision of Rs 300 crore during the last financial year, whereas now Rs 250 crore has been earmarked.
Reasons for lack of work and online attendance during rainy season
Two main reasons are being given for less families getting 100 days of employment under the scheme. First, there was no work during the rainy season, which lasted for about three months. Second, the introduction of online presence. Since the onset of monsoon in the state on June 15, the monsoon remained fully active till September 20, due to which the amount of work reduced considerably. Under the scheme, attendance is registered online, under which the daily wage amount is sent directly to the bank accounts of the laborers working.
what does the minister say
Under the scheme, 100 days of employment per family has been increased to 150 days. Due to work being affected during monsoon, now it is expected that the work will speed up. This will increase the number of families completing 100 days of employment.-Anirudh Singh, Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Himachal Pradesh.
Status under the scheme in the state
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