A job not done
Down To Earth|July 16, 2023
As multiple states launch urban employment guarantee schemes, the need for a Central Act similar to MGNREGA becomes stronger
RAJU SAJWAN, K A SHAJI
A job not done

TILL THE middle of last year, Sarju Devi's family lived a comfortable life by selling milk from her 10 cows. But things turned for the worse in September 2022, when six of her cows died within a week due to an outbreak of lumpy skin disease, a highly contagious viral infection that killed over 76,000 cattle in the state alone, as per government estimates released in March 2023. Currently, only two of her cows are giving milk, which, coupled with the ever-rising fodder prices, means that the family in Rajasthan's Ajmer city is not earning enough from their traditional work. "Still, our income has not dipped by much," says Devi. This has been possible because of a recent state government scheme that promises 100 days of assured unskilled employment to all urban dwellers who demand work, similar to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Launched in September 2022, the Indira Gandhi Shahari Rozgar Yojana (IGRY) is implemented by urban local bodies, such as municipal corporations, councils and nagar panchayats, who in turn hire educated youngsters as rozgar sahayaks (employment assistants) to sensitise people about the scheme and mates to oversee worksites. By enrolling under it, Devi now works as a caretaker at a stray cattle shed run by the Ajmer Municipal Corporation in the city's Panchsheel area. There are at least four other women working at the centre who lost their cattle to lumpy skin disease.

Rajasthan is the most recent state to launch an urban employment guarantee scheme, on the lines of MGNREGA. Two other states, Jharkhand and Odisha, started a similar programme in 2020 after the first wave of the coVID-19 pandemic, which saw mass-scale reverse migration from urban to rural areas due to the unavailability of jobs. Kerala was the first state to launch an urban employment guarantee scheme in 2011 to arrest unemployment. It was followed by Himachal Pradesh in 2019.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DOWN TO EARTHView all
Trade On Emissions
Down To Earth

Trade On Emissions

EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tariff on imports, is designed to protect European industries in the guise of climate action.

time-read
9 mins  |
September 16, 2024
'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'
Down To Earth

'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'

The Great Nicobar Project has all the hallmarks of a disaster-seismic, ecological, human. Why did it get the go-ahead?

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
TASTE IT RED
Down To Earth

TASTE IT RED

Popularity of Karnataka's red jackfruit shows how biodiversity can be conserved by ensuring that communities benefit from it

time-read
4 mins  |
September 16, 2024
MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO
Down To Earth

MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO

Misconceptions about the Chipko movement have overshadowed its true objectives.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 16, 2024
The politics and economics of mpox
Down To Earth

The politics and economics of mpox

Africa's mpox epidemic stems from delayed responses, neglect of its health risks and the stark vaccine apartheid

time-read
4 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Emerging risks
Down To Earth

Emerging risks

Even as the world gets set to eliminate substances threatening the ozone layer, climate change and space advancement pose new challenges.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
JOINING THE CARBON CLUB
Down To Earth

JOINING THE CARBON CLUB

India's carbon market will soon be a reality, but will it fulfil its aim of reducing emissions? A report by PARTH KUMAR and MANAS AGRAWAL

time-read
7 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Turn a new leaf
Down To Earth

Turn a new leaf

Scientists join hands to predict climate future of India's tropical forests

time-read
5 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Festering troubles
Down To Earth

Festering troubles

The Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to contain mpox amid vaccine delays, conflict and fragile healthcare.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
India sees unusual monsoon patterns
Down To Earth

India sees unusual monsoon patterns

THE 2024 southwest monsoon has, between June 1 and September 1, led to excess rainfall in western and southern states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while others like Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab recorded a deficit.

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024