Influx of migrants: MGNREGA work force touches record 39L in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: With MGNREGA labour engagement in the state touching a record 39.16 lakh on Saturday due to enrolment of a large number of migrant workers, it has now become difficult for the department to manage the work force.
The state’s MGNREGA department will therefore engage extra manpower to oversee in order to ensure that wage payment is not delayed. It will also strengthen its monitoring through Whatsapp groups, and divide 33 districts into three parts, assigning an engineer in each of them.
“It is expected that another 20,000 to 30,000 labourers may increase in the coming days and we may touch around 40 lakh by the end of the month. It is a huge labour force and the task of its management will become difficult and challenging — like getting their muster rolls processed, ensuring effective work site management and making their payments within 15 days,” said state’s MGNREGA commissioner P C Kishan.
“Earlier, the maximum labour force used to be around 30-31 lakh. Even at 30 lakh, the system used to get disturbed. Every system is designed for a certain amount of load. Up to 25 lakh labourers, the system works quite smoothly; up to 30 lakh labourers, extra effort is required,” he added.
“Beyond that, it is very difficult to manage. The officers on the ground have to pull up their socks else, it may lead to delays,” he added.
He further said, “We can monitor through Whatsapp groups by engaging extra people. I will divide 33 districts into three parts and an engineer will be assigned in each of these three parts for monitoring work. Now, only one executive engineer is overseeing the entire work in the state. We will also engage more BDOs in supervision work. Moreover, we will have to improve work site management and the level of inspection.”
“We shall have to ensure that Covid-19 preventive measures are also implemented in the field. When there are less number of labourers, the payment can be easily made in 15 days. Now, it will become quite challenging. But we will have to ensure that payment doesn’t get delayed,” Kishan said.