Covid-19: Demand for MGNREGA work rises as urban unemployment grows

Despite a rise in Covid-19 infections in rural areas, the demand for work under the rural employment scheme MGNREGA is on the rise. As many as 1.85 crore people have been provided employment under the scheme in May.

Despite the second coronavirus wave entering rural areas and lockdown in several states, the demand for work under rural employment scheme MGNREGA is on the rise, according to the data released by Rural Development Ministry on Monday. In the wake of the pandemic, there have been casualties in operating staff for implementation of rural development schemes and those work in the front have witnessed casualties due to COVID-19, the ministry said in a statement. As many as 1.85 crore people have been given work in May so far, which is 52 per cent higher compared to 1.22 crore in 2019 in the same period, the Rural Development Ministry said.