Centre asks states to prepare post-drought job plan

NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked the states to identify development projects under MNREGA to engage labourers in distress in view of the impending drought situation in some parts of the country.

Being aware of the fact that rainfall has been lower than normal in some parts of the country and that this may lead to an increased demand for employment under MNREGA, the Rural Development Ministry has already written to the chief ministers of states to prepare a contingency plan for meeting increased demand for employment.

The states have been assured that in drought-like conditions, the Centre will be open to revision in the labour budget for the current financial year to meet the increased demand for employment.

Minister of State for Rural Development Pradeep Jain Aditya has informed Parliament that the state governments have also been advised to prepare supplementary shelf of projects to meet increased demand for work with emphasis on water and soil conservation works so as to mitigate the impact of deficient rainfall.