EGS scheme's pilot run for urban areas to be in Nagpur

Maharashtra Government's decision to extend the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) in urban areas will be taken up on a pilot basis in Nagpur.

EGS and Water Conservation Minister Nitin Raut told PTI that even though EGS was a rural concept, the state was becoming rapidly urbanised and the welfare of the urban poor also needs to be taken into consideration.

"The government has sought proposals from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation on what kind of works can be undertaken in the city," he said.

The minister said the EGS works in towns and cities will be mostly related to construction, rickshaw drivers, hawkers among others.

The government is seeking opinion of a consultancy firm on ways of implementing it in urban areas. The state pioneered the job scheme (EGS) in 1970s and the UPA government launched a similar scheme named after Mahatma Gandhi. The Centre provides work for 100 days in a year to a rural family while the Maharashtra Act offers a job 365 days a year to every unemployed unskilled person.

Raut said that the Cabinet has agreed in-principle to make more funds available for the state scheme.