Rs 63 Cr Sanctioned for Employment in Drought-affected Districts

For employment-oriented work in drought affected districts, the state government has sanctioned Rs 63 crore to Panchayats and Rural Development Department.

As many as 38 districts were declared drought-affected by state government last year following scanty rainfall.

Out of this fund, office Relief Commissioner has allocated Rs 40 crore to Panchayats and Rural Development Department as first installment. Also, it brought out final list of districts declared drought-affected during the year 2009-10.

The allotment order states that employment works should be undertaken with the help of this fund only when employment under Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and other schemes is not available.

Only those families will be provided employment with the help of these funds, who need employment even after getting 100 days’ employment under Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, said order, adding that the ratio of labour will be 75 percent in such works.

The second installment of funds will be released to Panchayats and Rural Development Department only after a minimum of Rs 30 crore of the first installment is utilized, said order.

The funds will be used under standing orders issued for tackling crisis such as drought and shortage of drinking water and as per norms of Contingency Relief Fund.