Maharashtra speeds up rural jobs and roads ahead of El Niño threat

Maharashtra’s Employment Guarantee Scheme Minister, Bharat Gogawale, has urged officials to speed up farm and access road projects under key rural schemes. His directives came during a review meeting where he assessed the progress of the MGNREGA and Matoshri Gram Samruddhi Yojana. The push aims to boost rural employment ahead of a possible El Niño impact this year. Gogawale held discussions with senior officials, including Employment Guarantee Scheme Department Secretary Appasaheb Dhulaj. He emphasised the need to create large-scale rural jobs through farm and access road projects, especially with climate concerns looming.

The minister highlighted that the central government now allows gram panchayats to undertake over 20 types of works with district collectors' approval. He instructed officials to prioritise state-sanctioned farm and access road projects under the Matoshri Gram Samruddhi Scheme. To ensure swift progress, Gogawale directed authorities to prepare cost estimates for approved works, secure necessary approvals, and generate work codes. He also ordered the issuance of work commencement orders and the clearance of pending attendance records. Despite the recent passing of the V.B.G. Ram Ji Act 2025, MGNREGA continues to operate under existing rules until the new law takes effect.

The minister’s instructions aim to accelerate rural development and job creation through targeted infrastructure projects. Officials have been tasked with ensuring timely implementation, with a focus on farm connectivity and employment stability in vulnerable areas.