Odisha to provide 50 more work days for drought-hit under MGNREGA

The Odisha Government has decided to increase the work days from 150 to 200 in drought-affected areas under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

An official press release said the state government will bear all costs for the additional 50 days work. It also said the government has already spent Rs. 802 crores under the scheme, while it has a target to spend more than Rs.2000 crores by the end of this year.

The Centre had earlier this week approved an extra 50 days of work for farmers and workers under MGNREGA in drought-hit areas across the country.

As many as 103 of the state's 314 blocks have recorded scanty rainfall, affecting agricultural activities. This apart, eight districts of Dhenkanal, Khurda, Balangir, Boudh, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Kandhamal and Keonjhar have registered less than normal rainfall this monsoon.