Centre asked to increase MGNREGA job days from 100 to 150

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar disclosed that the State government had appealed to the Centre to increase Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) job days from 100 to 150 in view of drought in Karnataka.

The Act aims to give guaranteed employment to rural workers for limited days in the year.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Krishi Mela – 2023 at Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Bengaluru on Friday, Shivakumar said that over 200 taluks in the state are reeling under severe drought and increase in MGNREGA man days would benefit people of drought-hit areas.

“There is a rule that MGNREGA days must be increased at the time of drought, but nothing has been done yet. Those who claim to be farmers and sons of soil in the BJP must urge the Centre to increase the number of days,” he added.