Monitor News Bureau
SRINAGAR, MAY 10: Jammu and Kashmir government has resumed activities under MGNREGA to provide succor to the daily wage earners in the valley.
An official spokesman said till date 1952 new works have been taken up under MGNREGA wherein 18661 Job cardholders have been engaged and about 26293 person-days have been generated.
Besides, services of local tailors/boutiques, KVIB and services of 656 Self Help Groups of NRLM and Women Development Corporation have been utilized for the production of these masks. As on date 42.44 lakh re-usable cotton masks have been procured out of which 38.31 lakh masks have been distributed among health officials, frontline workers, and general public (priority/non-priority beneficiaries) with the priority of distribution of masks in Red Zone areas. Also, 22308 pamphlets depicting Do’s and Don’t’s related to COVID-19 have also been distributed among the people.
The spokesman said due to continuous lockdown, the laborers who earn wages could not find a way out to supplement their earning, and it is in this perspective, the Union Government issued directions for the resumption of MGNREGA activities with some SoPs.
“Pursuant to these directions, the Union Territory of J&K also conveyed for the resumption of MGNREGA activities and in this regard the Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the need for adherence to the social distancing, use of masks and personal sanitation at the worksites and that focus should be on Irrigation and Water Conservation Works, Construction of Ponds, Wells. Horticulture related activities etc”, said the spokesman.
Accordingly, the various activities under MGNREGA have been resumed, and besides completion of the ongoing works, various new works including Irrigation related, land development, PMAY units, etc have been taken up for execution. Also, to get the first-hand information, field visits and review meetings have been taken in various districts to have an on-spot assessment of the progress achieved in this behalf.
In addition to the above, wide publicity has also been made through local print media where job cardholders under MGNREGA have been advised to register their demands to get the employment to earn their livelihood. Further, the MGNREGA workers have been advised to adhere to the precautionary measures including social distancing, use of masks, frequent washing of hands owning to current COVID-19 pandemic situation.
