In Maharashtra, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has been a boon to address the problem of livelihood in rural areas of the state. During the nationwide lockdown period, works were made available directly at the Gram Panchayat level in various districts with higher daily wages to large number of labourers. As a result it helped the district administration to manage the migration and also provided employment to tribal areas like Melghat in Amaravati district.<br />'' <br />''In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown, the Government of India, under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, has increased the pay in Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme by 20 rupees. As a result of this, a large number of manpower became available for MGNREGA work.  The Bhandara district in the state has topped in the  work done under this particular Scheme while Amravati district has come at second position. Under Bhandara Zilla Parishad over one lakh 23 thousand people in rural areas were provided employment from the beginning of lockdown till 28th of May.  <br />''<br />''While in Amravati district a close to 87,000 manpower jobs were created through 3,120 works executed in 690 villages in the district. The administrations ensured that the MNREGA work was done while using masks, sanitizers and maintaining physical distance. Besides,  the  money, too was credited directly to the worker's bank or post office account within 15 days. Villagers who benefitted with the scheme have thanked the central government and said that the MGNREGA scheme was a lifeline for them when all the work was stopped due to the nationwide lockdown. <br />