2750 MGNREGA works taken up under revised COVID-19 lockdown guidelines: Advisor Baseer

Srinagar: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan Saturday said 2750 development works have been taken up under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Jammu and Kashmir since April 20, 2020 under the relaxed COVID-19 lockdown guidelines.
He said the works are being taken up while strictly adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for resumption and roll out of Rural Development Department activities under the revised COVID-19 guidelines issued by Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.
The Advisor said the development works at district levels in rural areas would start as per the demand of wage seekers for areas outside the demarcated containment zones. However, if any new area is included in the category of containment zones, then MGNREGA activities allowed in that area will be immediately suspended, he added.
He said the DPC shall allocate works in such a way that social distancing could be maintained at the project sites and it shall be ensured that the on-going and incomplete works should be completed first.
The Advisor said wage seekers would have to strictly adhere to social distancing, usage of masks and personal sanitation at the worksites to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease.
While divulging details of projects taken up by Rural Development Department under MGNREGA, he said 29 works have been taken up in Budgam, 14 in Bandipora, 23 in Baramulla, 29 in Ganderbal, 04 in Kulgam, 497 in Kupwara, 32 in Pulwama and 04 in Shopian district in Kashmir division.
While as 364 such works have been taken up in Doda, 293 in Jammu, 79 in Kathua, 88 in Kishtwar, 70 in Poonch, 171 in Rajouri, 297 in Ramban, 566 in Reasi, 81 in Samba and 109 in Udhampur district in Jammu division.
The projects include 2003 works under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 210 related to water conservation and irrigation, and 537 works of other rural infrastructure.