By Preetam Brahma Choudhury
Kokrajhar: Assam social welfare minister Pramila Rani Brahma said that the state government is preparing work schemes in MGNREGA to generate jobs for the rehabilitation of the labourers who have returned to their home state due to outbreak of COVID19 pandemic.
A review meeting in this regard was held at the Deputy Commissioner Conference hall in Kokrajhar today. The meeting chaired by the social welfare minister discussed issues relating to engagement of labourers who have returned to home districts due to outbreak of covid-19 pandemic in MGNREGA and other govt schemes.
The meeting was also attended by MLAs Rabiram Narzary and Majendra Narzary, Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner Bhaskar Phukan, Project Director District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) Kokrajhar Pranjit Wary, officials of lead banks among others.
Later briefing the media persons after the meeting, the minister said as per the direction of the Central government to ensure work to the labourers who have returned home due to the present crisis arising out of novel coronavirus pandemic, the state government is preparing work schemes so that these people can get work in their villages under MGNREGA and other government sponsored schemes. She said the lead bank officials have been asked to ensure an easy process so that bank accounts can be opened by these people so that they can apply for a job card.
“Thousands of labourers held up in different parts of the country due to the nationwide shutdown have returned home empty handed and the govt of India has directed the state government to provide them a job card and work through MGNREGA and other govt schemes. But the first bank account is necessary for applying for a job card for which we have asked the lead banks to facilitate so that these people can apply for a job card and get the benefits under MGNREGA, she said.
