Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel looks to distribute food grains as part of MNREGA wages

The casual labourers are one of the hardest-hit sections of the society because of the ongoing nationwide lockdown restrictions, which were initially enforced on March 25 for 21 days and then further extended for another 19 days till May 3, to contain the spread of Covid-19 outbreak.

Updated on: Apr 23, 2020, 19:26:28 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel wrote a letter to Union Minister for Rural Development Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday, requesting him for permission to distribute food grains as a part of wages to casual labourers who are working under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.

**EDS: (TO GO WITH STORY DCM25)** Nagpur: Undated photo of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Baghel has invited investors to seize business opportunities in the state and said his government is aiming to turn it into an investment hub. (PTI Photo)(PTI12_22_2019_000154B) (PTI)

The casual labourers are one of the hardest-hit sections of the society because of the ongoing nationwide lockdown restrictions, which were initially enforced on March 25 for 21 days and then further extended for another 19 days till May 3, to contain the spread of Covid-19 outbreak.

Baghel pointed out in his letter that the wages paid under the MNREGA get directly credited to the casual labourers’ bank account directly through National Electronic Fund Management System (NEFMS).

MNREGA caters to 31.5 lakh families in the state, he added. The scheme is being implemented while complying with all restrictions related to the enforcement of the ongoing lockdown. Currently, around 5 lakh casual labourers are being employed under the scheme, the CM said.

Baghel suggested an alternative mode of payment such as the distribution of food grains for these casual labourers as this would help them strictly follow the social distancing norms amid the viral outbreak. Besides, the CM cited that accessibility to banks in remote parts of the state, which is also hamstrung by poor internet connectivity and hit by Left-wing extremism, is still a major logistical challenge.

The CM informed Tomar that adequate food grains are available with the state government and an effective distribution mechanism is already at work. He requested the Central minister’s permission to distribute food grains among the casual labourers in a bid to ensure their food security amid the pandemic.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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