HP farmers harvest rain, get paid under MGNREGA

For a number of farmers in Himachal Pradesh it was a god sent opportunity when the Kullu Police launched an initiative to uproot cannabis from the region and employed them for the job under the Centre's flagship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). However, the Centre raised objections to the initiative - aimed at curbing the drug menace in the hill state - and it was soon discontinued leaving the farmers jobless in the non-farming season.

The MGNREGA has once again come as a saviour for them as now the state is offering them wages under the central scheme for building rain harvesting structures and water storage tanks in their fields or on the top of their houses.

The scheme has become a hit in districts such as Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kullu and Sirmaur, which are perennially facing water crisis.

"Here,up to 60 per cent of the MGNREGA works are related to construction of the rain water harvesting structures both in the fields and on the roof tops. The areas, wherever these water related works have been done, are setting an example in farm prosperity," says Principal Secretary (Rural development) Sushil Negi.

He cites the example of Darej village near Theog where 450 water harvesting structures have been built, and transformed the economy. The farmers, who used to look for jobs outside the village, are now growing vegetables and cash crops. The rain water harvesting and storage tanks provide them round-the-year irrigation facility.

In a review of the MGNREGA schemes, held two days back, the field officials informed that the trend is fast picking up in districts where farmers either have no irrigation facilities or lack the opportunity to switch over to better means. Bilaspur district — a mid Himachal belt region — that has perennially remained water starved, tops the list where the MNREGA scheme has made a marked difference to the lives of the locals.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Rail traffic hit due to protests over Sajjan's acquittal

Family of 1971 POW awaits his return from Pak, fears for his life

Anti-Pakistan protests erupt in Sarabjit's native village

Promised jobs in Iraq, 20 youth return empty-handed