Rural Employment Guarantee: From MGNREGA to VB-G RAM G
The Pandemic: A Lifeline
During the 2020 lockdown, millions of returning migrants turned to the scheme, and demand hit record levels.
The scheme showed its value in a crisis.
Return of migrants
Workers who lost city jobs went home and applied for work.
Demand
In 2020-21, more than 7 crore households sought work, the highest ever.
Extra funds
The government raised the allocation during the pandemic.
Lesson
A ready-made programme is a fast way to deliver income support.
A returning worker
A construction worker who lost his job in a city finds work on a village pond.
Ignoring the value of a standing scheme
It can be scaled up quickly.
Key takeaways
- Demand hit a record in 2020-21.
- Migrants returned to villages.
- Funds were increased.
- Standing schemes can respond fast.
No recording for this one yet - EconReader can read it aloud for you.