The Government has asked the states to identify development projects under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, MGNREGA, to ensure work available for those labourers who are in distress due to impending drought situation in some parts of the country. The move comes in view of lower rainfall in some parts of the country and this may lead to an increased demand for employment under MGNREGA.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha yesterday, the Minister of State for Rural Development, Pradeep Jain said that his Ministry has already written to the Chief Ministers of states to prepare a contingency plan for meeting increased demand for employment under the scheme. He said the states have been assured that in drought like conditions, the central government will be open to revision in the labour budget for the current financial year to meet the increased demand for employment. Mr. Jain said, the state governments have also been advised to prepare supplementary projects to meet increased demand.