Maharashtra to extend rural job scheme to certain urban areas

The Maharashtra Government is contemplating extending the Centre's flagship rural job scheme MNREGA to certain urban areas in the state.

"In 'C' category Nagarpalikas (urban civic bodies) desiltation work of lakes and sewages is not done properly. Even plantation of trees alongside the roads is not done. Therefore, we are contemplating extending the MNREGA to these areas," Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) Minister Nitin Raut said at a press conference here today.u00a0

Rejecting reports that people from the drought-hit districts in the state are migrating to Mumbai, he said there might be other reasons for the migration.

"Adequate labour force is available in the drought-hit regions." Raut called for long-term policies to tackle drought.

"We need to find out why these districts frequently face drought. There should be a long-term policy for tackling drought," said Raut, who is also Minister for Water Conservation.

The EGS Ministry, which spent more than Rs 1,500 crore in the last fiscal, will spend Rs 3,000 crore in the current financial year, he said.
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