Farmers seek MGNREGA work for 150 days

Trichy: There is a growing demand among farmers in the delta region to increase the number of working days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme from 100 to 150 days. Even though works under the scheme have commenced, only one-third of the workers are employed stating the need to observe social distancing, forcing workers to wait for weeks for their turn. If the number of working days is increased, more number of labourers would get work, farmers said.

“It is good to see that labourers who had been idle for more than a month in the wake of the lockdown have been allowed to get back to work. However, the entire workforce has not benefited. Only 30 to 35 per cent of the workforce have be given work across the state, citing the need for social distancing. Others have to wait for their turn”, said secretary of Thanjavur District Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, Swamimalai S Vimalnathan.

“Farmers in the delta region are also worried that they may be short of farmhands with the kuruvai season fast approaching. With water expected to be released from the Stanley reservoir by June 12, the preparatory work for kuruvai season has to commence soon. But there is bound to a shortage of labourers required in the fields,” said P Krishnamoorthi, a farmer from Lalgudi in Trichy.

“As kuruvai season is emerging, farmers need more labourers to complete the work within a short period. So, the government should ensure that the required number of labourers are made available through the MGNREGA scheme,” he added.