Villagers in Nagaland reap benefits of MGNREGA

With the gradual decline of insurgency, the northeastern states are moving forward on the path of development. In Nagaland, the villagers are now reaping the benefits of several welfare schemes introduced by the government like the MGNREGA.

The government has launched several schemes to uplift the living standard of the rural poor. The villages of Seithekima, Virazoma and Chumukedima, which surround the commercial hub of Dimapur, are now making speedy progress through the implementation of developmental schemes like the MGNREGA.

The national flagship programme MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of employment to a member of one family per year in the rural areas. Road connectivity has improved, as roads have been repaired and widened under the scheme. The people are happy with the developments taking place in the region.

"Under the MGNREGA scheme, our village has developed a lot. We are very happy that roads have improved. Water harvesting structures have come up under the scheme. Water Pipelines, footpath, protection walls have been constructed. Now, there is a lot of progress," said Thepfunei, Village Development Board Secretary.

Both the central and state governments are trying to ensure that villagers have access to basic amenities. Nagaland has around 1317 villages which are now making steady progress by implementing welfare schemes launched by the government.

The allocated funds have been used to construct Agri-Link roads, footpaths, wells, protection walls against landslides and approach roads to villages. Under the scheme, the construction of school buildings, irrigation canals and common village fisheries has already been taken up and completed.

"In our Virazoma village, we now have one good/pakka road. A circular village road has been made. Village agri-link road, fishery ponds have been constructed under the MGNREGA scheme," said Village chairman.

The government has introduced many schemes to improve the life of people in the rural areas. The MGNREGA is one of the most important steps that has been taken towards the realization of economic and social infrastructure in the rural areas.