(a) whether the Government is aware that most of the rural areas in various States witnesses large scale migration due to drought conditions;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise including Maharashtra;
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to check the said situation and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor and the corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)
(a): Yes, Madam.
(b): Research shows that consistent and strong implementation Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)reduces distress migration. The number of days’ employment provided in inversely correlated with migrations by members of the Household.
(c)&(d): The Ministry of Rural development provides 50 days of additional employment in notified areas of drought affected States under MGNREGS.
Accordingly, on recommendation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, provision of additional employment of 50 days over and above 100 days per household under MGNREGA has been made in the notified drought affected areas of the following States during FY 2015-16 and FY 2016-17(as on 11.7.2016). The details are given as under: -
In current financial year (FY 2016-17) a national target of constructing 8,82,325 Farm Ponds under MGNREGA has been kept to harvest rain water.
In addition to construction of Farm Ponds, other types of works given below are permitted and being taken up under MGNREGA to mitigate drought.
(i) Water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment and improve groundwater like underground dykes, earthen dams, stop dams, check dams with special focus on recharging ground water including drinking water sources;
(ii) Watershed management works such as contour trenches, terracing, contour bunds, boulder checks, gabion structures and spring shed development resulting in a comprehensive treatment of a watershed;
(iii) Micro and minor irrigation works and creation, renovation and maintenance of irrigation canals and drains;
(iv) Renovation of traditional water bodies including desilting of irrigation tanks and other water bodies;
(v) Afforestation, tree plantation and horticulture in common and forest lands, road margins, canal bunds, tank foreshores and coastal belts duly providing right to usufruct to the households of Schedule I of the Act.
(vi) Improving productivity of lands of households through land development and by providing suitable infrastructure for irrigation including dug wells, and other water harvesting structures.
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