The government said today that it will ensure that there would be no negative impact of Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act-MNREGA on the agriculture sector.

During the Question Hour, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said that the fears of some state governments and public representatives that MNREGA is affecting agriculture sector are totally unfounded.

He said that 70 percent of MNREGA employment is in agriculture off-season and not in the peak season. Mr. Ramesh said that distress migration has come down in Bihar, Orissa and some other parts due to MNREGA.