In view of the widespread destruction caused by the ongoing monsoon, the Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to relax norms under MGNREGS to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation. This will allow additional works to be undertaken as per the actual demand for employment in rural areas, particularly for the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state had suffered massive loss due to cloudbursts, incessant rains, flash floods and landslides, which had severely impacted agriculture, horticulture, livestock and rural infrastructure. He assured that the government was committed to extending all possible support to the affected people.
To accelerate restoration, Deputy Commissioners have been empowered to approve new works under MGNREGA without waiting for prior approval from the gram sabha. Ex-post facto approval from the gram sabha, panchayat samiti and zila parishad would be obtained later, keeping in view the practical impossibility of holding such meetings during the prevailing weather conditions.
The Chief Minister further said Deputy Commissioners could now sanction all categories of works, including land development projects, by relaxing the earlier cap of 20 works per gram panchayat. In addition, the financial ceiling for an individual work of land development projects has been increased from rupees one lakh to rupees two lakh per beneficiary.
Sukhu said this initiative would not only help rebuild damaged rural infrastructure but also generate much-needed employment opportunities for the rural population during this challenging period. He said the state government was making every effort to support people in distress.
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