Raipur- In the recently released report of Center for Monitoring Indian Economy, ie CMIE, it was told that where there was an increase in the unemployment rate in the country, Chhattisgarh recorded a significant decline. The report states that the unemployment rate in the state was recorded at the lowest level of 12 months at 3.4 percent, which is much lower than the national unemployment rate of 23.5 percent. According to CMIE, Chhattisgarh’s unemployment rate, which was 22.2 percent in September 2018, has come down to 3.4 percent now. When all the states of the country are struggling with a severe economic crisis, all the enterprises of unemployment are getting lost, the revenue of the governments is decreasing rapidly, every day the faces are falling, in the midst of such a picture, Chhattisgarh has said Which tool did it serve as a mirror to the challenges? Which was the policy of Bhupesh Baghel government of the state, which created new dimensions of employment in the almost backward state? How did millions of laborers return home in Chhattisgarh, like other states due to the horrors of the Corona transition?
The answer to all these questions is, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act i.e. MNREGA. Bhupesh Sarkar had only one weapon, who faced every challenge as a shield. When the migrating family had to return to an uncertain environment for financial strength, it was the MNREGA scheme, which worked as a fuel to pull the car of life. The result of better implementation of MNREGA policy amidst all the crises is that Chhattisgarh stood first in the country in terms of employment. Chhattisgarh alone accounted for 24 per cent of the total workers engaged in MNREGA works across the country. RBI also appreciated the efforts made during the Corona crisis in Chhattisgarh. In its report, RBI has described the rate of economic growth in Chhattisgarh as much better than other developed states.
Half of the population i.e. women participation in MNREGA works was more than half
In Chhattisgarh, half the population ie women participation in MNREGA works was more than half. In the first four months of the current financial year 2020-21, 24 lakh 28 thousand 234 women got work under the scheme. In the total 9 crore 17 lakh 87 thousand man-days employment created in the state, the share of women was 4 crore 65 lakh 85 thousand. The participation of women in MNREGA works so far this year has been 50.75 per cent, the highest in the last four years. A total of 48 lakh 14 thousand 330 laborers have been provided employment under various MNREGA works in the state this year. These include 24 lakh 28 thousand 234 women laborers. The share of women in MNREGA works is continuously increasing. The participation of women in the year 2016-17 has been 49.31 percent, 49.71 percent in 2017-18, 50.05 percent in 2018-19, 50.70 percent in 2019-20 and 50.75 percent in the current financial year so far. Durg district topped the state in providing employment to women under MNREGA. In MNREGA works this year, there is 64 percent participation of women. Women accounted for 62 percent of the total employment generated in Balod, 59 percent in Rajnandgaon, 54 percent in Raipur, 52 percent in Bastar, and 51-51 percent in Bilaspur, Dhamtari, Kondagaon and Narayanpur. Under the MGNREGA, various beneficiary-oriented works included labor, goat shelter, poultry shelter, paved floors for cattle, katana construction, land leveling, well construction and private dabri construction etc. Apart from wages in MNREGA works, women continued to enhance their livelihood by taking advantage of these works as beneficiaries through agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, goat rearing and poultry farming. According to MNREGA provisions, it is mandatory to have one-third of women in employment. Provision was also made to increase the participation of Divyang and single women.
The government of Chhattisgarh had approved a large number of works under the Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Scheme in rural areas of the state, which led to the employment of workers in employment oriented jobs. The rural economy of the state was strengthened due to the functioning of MNREGA in the state even during the nationwide lockdown. Mahatma Gandhi MNREGA was the main center of employment generation at the local level during the transition of global epidemic. While all other works were closed in the lockdown, the work conducted under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme proved to be a meaningful step for the workers. A new record has been established in Jashpur district MNREGA. Among beneficiary-oriented works, the state was first in the state in sanctioning the maximum work and employing workers. In the month of May, the district had achieved 100 percent target of creating human day. In May, 11 lakh 10 thousand 283 man days have been earned against 12 lakh 92 thousand 11 man days. In this way 140 percent of man days were earned against the target of May. In this regard, the Chief Executive Officer, District Panchayat Jashpur said that the rural economy was strengthened with the commencement of work of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA during lockdown. Following the instructions of prevention and prevention of rural corona infection, the work of MNREGA was edited. The scheme was implemented giving priority to beneficiary-oriented and community works as well as more and more work related to agriculture and water promotion and conservation.
Manar will get more than 2 thousand crores of workers
In the current financial year 2020-21, more than Rs 2148 crore 70 lakh wages have been paid under MNREGA, providing direct employment to 26 lakh nine thousand families. It also includes payment of wages of Rs 96 crore 33 lakhs in lieu of 50 additional days of employment provided to MNREGA workers by the state government. 2271 crore 89 lakh rupees were approved. In this, approval of Rs 67 crore one lakh was received on 4 September. Out of the total sanctioned amount, Rs. 2052 crore 37 lakh was received for payment of wages to the state. Under the scheme, in the current financial year, so far, employment of 9 crore 55 lakh man days has been provided to 48 lakh 87 thousand MNREGA workers of more than 26 lakh families. In this, four crore 81 lakh man-days employment was created by 24 lakh 58 thousand women workers.
The Union Rural Development Ministry had also given in-principle approval for increase of one and a half crore human days in MNREGA’s labor budget in Chhattisgarh. In the state, the target of employment generation under MNREGA has been increased from 13.5 million man days to 15 crore man days for the current financial year 2020-21. It is noteworthy that a total of 9 crore 46 lakh man-days of employment have been created under MNREGA so far this year in the state. During this period, about 48 lakh 70 thousand laborers from more than 26 lakh families were given work, while 79 thousand 835 families were also provided more than 100 days of employment.
Chhattisgarh accounts for 41% of the total households in India providing 100 days of employment.
Chhattisgarh’s outstanding performance in MNREGA works continues. In the current financial year 2020-21, Chhattisgarh stood first in the country in providing 100 days of employment to MNREGA job-holder families. A total of 55 thousand 981 families were provided 100 days of employment in April, May and June. Chhattisgarh alone accounted for about 41 per cent of the total households in the country which got 100 days of employment.
Chhattisgarh stood second in the country in terms of employment generation against the target in the current financial year. In the first three months, 66 percent of the year’s target was completed here. During this time 8 crore 84 lakh 50 thousand man days employment was created. Naxalite affected districts have done a good job in providing employment to the villagers. The first five districts to provide maximum employment against the target in the state are from Bastar division. Ten districts have completed more than 70 percent of the approved labor budget for this year. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Panchayat and Rural Development Minister T.S. Singhdeo congratulated the departmental officers-employees and panchayat representatives for their consistently good performance in the MNREGA. He said that despite the lock-down due to Kovid-19, the villagers got direct employment in large numbers due to the work started under MNREGA. MNREGA works played an important role in keeping the rural economy dynamic even under adverse conditions.
The central government has approved a total budget of 13 crore 50 lakh man days for Chhattisgarh in the current financial year. In the first three months of the year, the state achieved 66 percent target by creating eight crore 84 lakh 50 thousand man days of employment. The national average of employment generation in the first quarter is 39 percent. Narayanpur district was at the forefront in providing employment against the target in the state. 84 percent of the target was met there. Nine other districts of the state have also completed more than 70 percent work. Sukma 78 percent, Bijapur 77 percent, Bastar 74 percent, Kondagaon and Raigad 73-73 percent, Kanker and Dantewada 72-72 percent, Korba and Gariaband 71-71 percent also achieved more than 70 percent of this year’s target. The remaining 18 districts also created more than 60 percent employment.
Good work has been done in the state in providing 100 days of employment under MNREGA to the needy families. The total number of families receiving 100 days of employment in the country is one lakh 37 thousand 365. Of these, 40.75 percent i.e. 55 thousand 981 families belong to Chhattisgarh alone. The maximum 6139 families were provided 100 days of employment in Kabirdham district in the state. So far this year, 100 days of employment have been provided to 4410 families in Bilaspur, 3804 in Rajnandgaon, 3261 in Dhamtari, 3240 in Balodabazar-Bhatapara, and 3037 families in Mungeli.
