Indian Railways has created more than 5.5 lakh employment days under the Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan in 6 states ie Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Minister of Railways, Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal is closely monitoring the progress made in these projects and the work opportunities mobilized for the migrant labourers of these states under this scheme. About 165 railway infrastructure projects costing Rs 2,988 crore are being executed in these states. As of August 14, 2020, 11296 workers have been included in this campaign and a payment of Rs 1336.84 crore has been issued to contractors for these projects being implemented.
Railways have appointed nodal officers in each district as well as in these states so that close coordination with the state government can be established. Minister of Railways, Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has directed the Railway Administration at the zonal level to employ migrants in these projects and work actively to ensure payment accordingly.
Railways have identified the number of works to be done under this scheme. (I) Construction and maintenance of access roads for level crossings (ii) Development and cleaning of silted waterways, trenches and drains (iii) Railway stations. Access road construction and maintenance (iv) Repairs and widening of existing railway embankments/cuttings (v) Plantation of the last boundary of railway land and (vi) Conservation of existing embankments/erosion/bridges.
It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi observed the poor welfare employment campaign on 20 June 2020 to empower these people and provide livelihood opportunities, given the large number of migrant labourers affected by the Covid-19 epidemic in their areas/villages. Namely, large employment and rural public works campaign were started. The Prime Minister had announced that an amount of Rs 50,000 crore would be spent for the construction of sustainable rural infrastructure under the Garib Kalyan Abhiyan.
The 125-day campaign is being carried out in mission mode and focused on 25 categories of work/activities in 116 districts. These districts of 6 states Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha have a large number of migrant labourers. Public works are being done under this campaign. In which an amount of 50,000 crore rupees is being spent.
The campaign is an inclusive effort between 12 different Ministries / Departments like Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Road Transport and Highways, Mines, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Environment, Railways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, New and Renewable Energy, Border Roads, Telecom and Agriculture. Is so that 25 public infrastructure works and works related to increasing livelihood opportunities can be implemented rapidly.
(Courtesy: PIB_Delhi)
