With the announcement of union government to lockdown, various worksites stopped functioning. This caused great stress to the underprivileged and weaker sections of the society. But, the decision to open up the MNREGA works in May month, came as a great support for the underprivileged section of the society, earning their livelihood through the MNREGA works.
Many people lost their jobs due to the economic breakdown due to COVID-19 crisis. MNREGA works provided an employment opportunity to those who lost their jobs and wants to contribute for the welfare of their locality.
The tribal region of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh, allotted development works in 61 panchayats out of total 65 under MNREGA. This proved to be a boon for the people who lost their jobs due to lockdown.
As many as 785 development works are in progress with a total labour of 6,931. The people of the state are thankful to the government for the opening of job opportunity and timely payment as well.
Sonam, a local labourer from Pooh expressed her gratitude for the earnings:
I am grateful to the government to have opened the works under the scheme, as it was becoming difficult to even fill stomachs of my family said Sonam, a labourer from Pooh and similar was the version of few others. The labourers are strictly following social distancing norms and other advisories of the government, says the Project officer District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Kinnaur and we hope to complete all the ongoing works well in time.
Source – CMO, Himachal Pradesh
