Maharashtra Government Makes ₹6,728 Crore Available Under EGS to Boost Rural Jobs and Support Drought-Affected Communities

Employment Guarantee Scheme Focuses on Jobs and Rural Development

The Maharashtra government has made ₹6,728 crore available under the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) to support rural employment and provide financial assistance to farmers, farm workers and other people affected by drought-like conditions.

Employment Guarantee Scheme Minister Bharat Gogawale said the funds will be used to create local job opportunities while supporting water conservation, agriculture and rural infrastructure projects.

The government plans to take up 375 types of individual and public-benefit works across rural areas. These projects are designed to provide employment while creating long-term assets that can support village development.

₹6,728 Crore Allocation Across Maharashtra

The funding has been made available through the Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Scheme, VB-G RAM G (Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin) and other related agencies.

The allocation includes:

• Amravati division: ₹1,145 crore
• Konkan division: ₹489 crore
• Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division: ₹1,944 crore
• Nagpur division: ₹119 crore
• Pune division: ₹801 crore

The funding pattern includes a 60% contribution from the Central government and 40% from the Maharashtra government.

Rural Families to Benefit From Multiple Projects

The scheme will support several individual-benefit projects aimed at improving the livelihoods and assets of rural households.

Planned works include irrigation facilities, cattle sheds, orchard plantations, borewell recharge projects, bamboo plantations and houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Other projects will include sheds for sericulture activities and compost pits to support agricultural needs and rural livelihoods.

Water Conservation and Village Infrastructure Get Priority

Public-benefit projects under the scheme will focus on improving water resources and strengthening basic rural infrastructure.

The planned works include repairs and maintenance of community ponds, gabion structures, percolation tanks, earthen bunds and RCC retaining structures. Farm access roads will also be developed or improved to make it easier for farmers to reach their agricultural land and transport produce.

Construction and improvement works at agricultural produce market committees are also planned. These projects may include storage facilities and market platforms, along with other agriculture and water conservation infrastructure.

Maharashtra EGS Aims to Create More Local Employment

The state government has said that maximum employment generation will remain a key focus while using the available funds.

According to Bharat Gogawale, the program will go beyond providing short-term assistance. Along with creating rural jobs, the government will focus on water conservation, agricultural facilities and stronger village infrastructure.

The expanded work program is expected to provide employment opportunities for rural households while helping villages build infrastructure that can support agriculture and livelihoods over the longer term.