Jharkhand CM urges Modi to increase man-days, wages under MGNREGA by 50 per cent

Ranchi, May 11 (PTI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase wages and man-days under MGNREGA scheme by 50 per cent as it is the main thrust of the rural economy with stranded migrant workers returning to the state.

During a video conference chaired by the prime minister with chief ministers of different states, Soren sought relaxation in the guidelines of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as per the state's need.

He also urged Modi to speed up ferrying of migrant workers to their homes.

"In the previous video conference too I had said that existing guidelines of MGNREGA be relaxed, its wages and man days be raised by 50 per cent as the programme is the most important (aspect) of the rural economy," Soren told the prime minister.

The chief minister also requested the Centre for early clearance of the

state's share of GST and permit collection of revenue from some resources at the state level.

Thanking PM Modi for allowing plying of Shramik Special trains to bring back migrants, Soren said, "But only 21-22 trains have so far come with only 50,000 to 55,000 people returning. Nearly seven lakh people from the state are residing in different parts of the country."

He added that life and livelihood should be given priority.