MGNREGA norms eased to expedite infra repair: Sukhu

In view of the widespread destruction caused by the ongoing monsoon, the Himachal Government has decided to relax norms under MGNREGA to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation.

“This would allow additional works to be undertaken as per actual demand for employment in rural areas, particularly for the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure,” said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He said the state has suffered massive loss due to cloudbursts, incessant rains, flash floods and landslides, which have severely impacted agriculture, horticulture, livestock and rural infrastructure.

Sukhu assured that the state government was committed to extending all possible support to the affected people. “To accelerate restoration, Deputy Commissioners (DC) have been empowered to approve new works under MGNREGA without waiting for prior approval from gram sabhas. Ex-post facto approval from gram sabha, panchayat samiti and zila parishad would be obtained later keeping in view the practical impossibility of holding such meeting during the prevailing weather conditions,” he said.

The Chief Minister further said that DCs can 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 individual work of land development projects has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per beneficiary.