To stop exodus for job opportunities and provide much-needed respite from the torrid heat to labourers, the State government has reduced the working hours by 30 per cent under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) in 27 districts.
The government has issued an order and instructed the chief executive officers of zilla panchayats to initiate measures to reduce the working hours by 30 per cent till May 31, and by 20 per cent in June. The relaxations, applicable in 137 severely drought-hit districts, have been made to prevent exodus for job opportunities. The wage per day under the Act is Rs. 234, including material cost of Rs. 10.
Over 1.53 crore workers, spread across 6,019 gram panchayat limits, have registered for jobs under the scheme.
While rain has brought some respite in parts of southern and Bombay Karnataka regions, the relief will be particularly welcome in Hyderabad Karnataka which is still facing heatwave conditions, an official said.
Labourers were facing health issues such as dehydration and giddiness, in places like Ballari, Koppal, Gadag, and Raichur districts, the official said.
Relief from heat
Work hours reduced by 30% till May 31; by 20% in June
This will apply to job cardholders in 137 taluks
in 27 districts
1.53 crore workers have registered under the scheme in Karnataka
