Srinagar, April 29: With certain relaxations directed by the central Government with respect to resumption of agricultural, industrial, construction and other activities for the welfare of the rural population amid COVID19 lockdown, the MGNREGA works have been resumed across Jammu and Kashmir. MGNREGA Job card holders have started work at their respective sites.
The people engaged in MGNREGA works are appreciating this measure taken by the government as it provided them with some relief during lockdown. Tariq Ahmad, of village Varthrad, Budgam, expressed his gratitude towards the Government for relaxation in MGNREGA works and said that it has brought economic relief to job card holders engaged in such activities. The job card holders engaged in MGNREGA had a sigh of relief when this relaxation was announced by the government as they will now be able to obtain wages to sustain their livelihood amid lockdown.
Bashir Ahmad, MGNREGA Job card holder from Budgam also felt relieved upon this relaxation and said that they were eagerly waiting for this measure as they have been left with no work. The relaxation came at a right time. As this is the season of nursery preparation for paddy for which water is required, the irrigation canals across villages in the district were desilted under MGNREGA which can now bring water to the paddy nurseries and to the fields, he added.
The MGNREGA activities have also resumed in Ganderbal District as well. Various activities of MGNREGA including de-silting process of various irrigation canals of the district have commenced across the district and the administration has emphasized on ensuring social distancing norms besides using face masks during work. The job card holders of district Ganderbal have hailed the Central Government for allowing MGNREGA works to commence amid Lockdown 2.0.
Gh. Nabi Khan, of Ganderbal, a farmer and an MGNREGA job card holder said that the workers are ensuring social distancing norms besides using face masks during work.
MohamadShaban, of Kokernag, MGNREGA job card holder and a farmer said that this relaxation brought me a two-sided relief as being a job card holder, I have been able to find a job amid lockdown and being a farmer these MGNREGA activities have brought water to my fields.
