MGNREGS work demand slows but still higher than pre-pandemic months

Experts say unless non-farm activities grow in rural areas or demand rises in the urban, the informal sector might continue to struggle

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGS) work demand has shown some signs of slackening in the last few months. However, in October 2022 around 15.5 million households sought work under the scheme, which is higher than the corresponding pre-Covid month of October 2019 but is much less than the demand in October 2020 and October 2021.

But the fact that still, an unusually huge number of people are seeking work under this flagship scheme means that for the third year running experts said that over 70 million households are expected to seek work under the scheme.

Before, the