As per Union Minister Tomar, to turn the challenges presented by the pandemic into an opportunity, work related to development of infrastructure in rural areas has been fast tracked

Shri Tomar said that these ongoing works which were progressing at a normal pace as per schedule, have now been fast-tracked to transform the challenge presented by the pandemic into an opportunity to create infrastructure in rural areas in a short duration.

To give a way forward to employment generation-cum-rural-infrastructure creation programme, Union Minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday unveiled a web portal of the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan through video conferencing.

Speaking about the importance of the portal, the Union Minister said besides providing information to the public about the various district-wise and scheme-wise components of the Abhiyaan, it will also help in monitoring the progress of completion of the works being undertaken with a fund outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore in 116 districts of 6 states, where there are more than 25000 returnee migrant workers per district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan on June 20.

The Union Minister said due to pragmatism and well managed coordination between the Centre and states and union territories, activities related to agriculture, small industries and implementation of government sponsored welfare and development schemes moved ahead despite Covid-19 triggered lockdown.

He also emphasized that MGNREGA with an allocation of Rs 1,01,500 crore during the current financial year is the greatest employment generator for unskilled persons.

The Ministry of Rural Development is the nodal ministry for the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan. It is working in close coordination with 12 other ministries of the Central government for the 25 categories of works which are to be completed in the identified districts in 125 days.