Sharad Pawar Gram Samridhi Yojana 2024 had been started by the Maharashtra government. The current Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) govt. had launched this rural prosperity scheme to be named after the NCP chief Sharad Pawar. The state cabinet has approved the Sharad Pawar Gram Samrudhi Yojana. This new scheme is a combination of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Maharashtra State Employee Guarantee Scheme.
On the birthday of NCP Chief on 12 December 2020, the state govt. of Maharashtra had started Sharad Pawar Gram Samridhi Yojana. The timing is crucial as Pawar had turned 80 years old and in his honour, govt. has started this rural prosperity scheme. The Department of Employment Guarantee will be the nodal department for the implementation of Sharad Pawar Gram Samrudhi Yojana.
Objectives of Sharad Pawar Gram Samrudhi Yojana
The newly proposed ambitious scheme in the name of Sharad Pawar aims to transform the rural economy and empower people. The Sharad Pawar Gram Samridhi Yojana also aims to bridge the rural and urban divide. Under the Rural Prosperity Scheme, around 1 lakh kilometre roads that will connect farms will be undertaken. It will improve the access to farms and will also provide jobs.
In addition to this, the construction of farm ponds and stables are also proposed under the Sharad Pawar Gram Samriddhi Yojana. The state government of Maharashtra proposes to complete them in the next 3 years with an expenditure of approx. Rs. 10,000 crore.
Works in Sharad Pawar Gram Samridhi Yojana
In Maharashtra, around 6.46 lakh works are under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Out of this, around 4.77 lakh were under various stages of completion as on 1 January 2022. Till date, around 1,68,878 works were completed. More than 6.10 lakh workers were registered under the scheme.
During COVID-19, the highest number of labourers were enrolled under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) from the 11 districts of Vidarbha region. A total of 76,651 workers were enrolled in the coastal Konkan region, excluding the two districts of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburbs.
Funds for Sharad Pawar Gram Samrudhi Yojana
The Sharad Pawar Gram Samridhi Yojana will hive off works undertaken usually under the MNREGS job guarantee scheme under a new head. The state govt. of Maharashtra will carve out a few schemes from employment guarantee scheme and bring it under the umbrella of Sharad Pawar Gram Samrudhi Yojana. There will be absolutely no additional burden on the state exchequer. Funds allotted for the scheme under EGS will be utilized for the Gram Samrudhi Yojna.
Currently under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the dept. is implementing several plans. It includes plans for social forestry, measures to tackle drought, deepening wells, constructing village roads, toilets and houses and developing nurseries.
EGS main emphasis would be on water conservation and water resources. The scope of both the schemes would be widened for the prosperity of villages as desired by Sharad Pawar. Under EGS, govt. implements more than a dozen schemes to provide 100 days of daily wage employment to farm labourers.
Source / Reference Link: www.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Upload/Government%20Resolutions/Marathi/202102041247553216.pdf