Reeling under drought, K'taka asks Centre to release job guarantee scheme wages

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has requested the Centre to release pending Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme wage component at the earliest, for its effective implementation, in the wake of a drought in a majority of taluks across the state.

Karnataka Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma has written to Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.

Sharma noted that wage release to Karnataka is due from MoRD since August 29, 2023, which amounts to Rs 478.46 crore and said the last wage grant released to the State government is on September 24 for Rs 1.55 crore for August and September.

Karnataka's Rural Development Commissionerate has already submitted Utilisation Certificates and Annual Audited accounts to the Ministry of Rural Development for the current and previous year, the Chief Secretary said in her letter.

According to her, 195 of the total 236 taluks in the state have been declared as drought-hit, and out of 195 taluks, 161 have severe drought, and 34 taluks have moderate drought.

"Because of the drought situation rural labourers are highly dependent on MGNREGS jobs,'' she said.