Work demand under NREGS down a tad in June quarter

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

MGNREGS) eased only a tad in the key June quarter from a year before despite monthly variations, reflecting the tentative nature of an industrial recovery. Person-days generated under the scheme were to the tune of 1,110 million between April and June this fiscal, against about 1,140 million and 1,160 million in the corresponding quarters of FY23 and FY22, respectively, showed an analysis by the rural development ministry.

The suspension of MGNREGS work in West Bengal following alleged fund diversion there also contributed to the decline, experts said. However, late Kharif crop sowing in large parts of India due to erratic monsoon somewhat held up the migration of workers to the farm sector in June and prevented a steeper fall in work demand under the flagship rural job scheme, they added.

The June quarter often accounts for more than a half of the annual person-day generation, as farm activities remain subdued during this period. Also, the summer is the ideal season for undertaking several work programmes, including building water bodies, etc.

under the MGNREGS. About 118.57 million individuals opted for work under the scheme between April and June, down 0.8% from a year before, according to the preliminary data compiled by the ministry.

Members of 89.52 million households demanded work in the first quarter, against 85.77 million a year before. The data typically get revised as and when updated information flows in.