The story of Umsing C&amp;RD Block in Ri-bhoi district is an excellent example of how community people's active participation in government program can bring positive change in their everyday life. Ri Bhoi District lies in an agro-climatic zone of Meghalaya, ideal for cultivation of a wide range of agriculture and horticulture crops. With 100% agrarian population, the life of people largely depends on agriculture. However, in rainy season, due to the sloping landscape of the terrain, farmers were facing difficulty in managing natural resources and water run-off from the farms.Under MGNREGA, 60% of the projects implemented at the VEC level focuses on Natural Resource Management. To improve the natural landscape of unused land in Ri-bhoi district and conserve natural ecosystem with increase in water holding capacity of the land, the VEC’s chose this project. The villagers came forward to support the initiative, implemented bench terracing and earthen bunds, which enabled the villagers to do farming on the slope land. Since the project was undertaken under MNREGS, it has helped the people to generate employment opportunities within the village. Today, the villagers are producing nutritious vegetables like fresh beans, cucumber, carrot etc. which is adding nutrition to their diet and contributes in enhancing farmers produce, thereby improving financial condition of the locals.Expressing his gratitude towards the Government, one of the job card holder said, “We are thankful to the Block Development Office &amp; P.O.&nbsp;for implementing such initiative which has low material expenditures; it has a positive impact to the environment and the same time help us farmers to use the land for cultivation.”

The story of Umsing C&amp;RD Block in Ri-bhoi district is an excellent example of how community people's active participation in government program can bring positive change in their everyday life. Ri Bhoi District lies in an agro-climatic zone of Meghalaya, ideal for cultivation of a wide range of agriculture and horticulture crops. With 100% agrarian population, the life of people largely depends on agriculture. However, in rainy season, due to the sloping landscape of the terrain, farmers were facing difficulty in managing natural resources and water run-off from the farms.Under MGNREGA, 60% of the projects implemented at the VEC level focuses on Natural Resource Management. To improve the natural landscape of unused land in Ri-bhoi district and conserve natural ecosystem with increase in water holding capacity of the land, the VEC’s chose this project. The villagers came forward to support the initiative, implemented bench terracing and earthen bunds, which enabled the villagers to do farming on the slope land. Since the project was undertaken under MNREGS, it has helped the people to generate employment opportunities within the village. Today, the villagers are producing nutritious vegetables like fresh beans, cucumber, carrot etc. which is adding nutrition to their diet and contributes in enhancing farmers produce, thereby improving financial condition of the locals. Expressing his gratitude towards the Government, one of the job card holder said, “We are thankful to the Block Development Office &amp; P.O.&nbsp;for implementing such initiative which has low material expenditures; it has a positive impact to the environment and the same time help us farmers to use the land for cultivation.”

Natural Resource Management at Umtham VEC

Natural Resource Management through bench terracing and earthen bunds at Umtham VEC, Ri Bhoi District

Natural Resource Management through bench terracing and earthen bunds at Umtham VEC, Umsing C&RD Block Ri Bhoi District

The livelihood of people in Amlarem Block in West Jaintia Hills largely depends on tourism, poultry, and areca nut plantation. Located near the banks of Umngot river, the village shares international border with Bangladesh and is a popular tourist destination known for crystal clear water of Umngot river. Here, people use the traditional method of farming with no concrete infrastructure, temporary poultry shed, no soak pit, unhygienic conditions that makes their survival difficult. To make the life easier for the local people and uplift the rural livelihood, Dawki VEC, took the initiative to develop poultry infrastructure in the village, thereby generated employment opportunities for the locals. Under MNREGS, a total sanction amount of Rs 42,000 were allocated, local job card holders were chosen and construction work for the soak pit and piggery shed started. This initiative came as a helping hand for the farmers, to make them realize better income. In the words of Shri. Mankhraw Ryngksai, one of the Beneficiary, he says “I am immensely happy to receive the assistance provided through Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in the form of Piggery Shed. As a farmer I am unable to construct such a structure on my own. Before availing this shed, I reared pigs in a temporary shed made of wooden planks only and currently I am able to sell many pigs in a year.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dawki VEC, Transforming the life of locals under MNREGS, West Jaintia Hills, Amlarem C&RD Block.

Many villages in India, located on the banks of river are prone to droughts and floods. One such village in West Garo Hills District is Haribhanga, situated on the bank of Jinjiram River (Brahmaputra River tributaries). The area is prone to natural calamities and had experienced multiple occurrences of floods and drought. &nbsp;During the monsoon, the river overflows to the bank, causing flood that destroyed the village life severely. River water used to enter the house of villagers, forcing many families to move out. Acres of paddy fields and livestock were washed away due to floods. In addition, many lives were lost causing huge socio-economic loss for the village and the state.&nbsp;This was a recurring phenomenon every year. &nbsp;Tired of dealing with this critical situation, the villagers requested the government officer to construct a Flood Protection (Boulder Sausage and Pitching) wall on the river. The project got sanctioned under MGNREGA. The total amount sanctioned of the work was ₹ 1,280,518 in which ₹ 644,113 are material component and ₹ 634,405 are wages generating 3,135 persondays. &nbsp;The successful completion of the project&nbsp;has safeguarded more than 200 households living along the riverbank. The initiative under MGNREGA has helped the residents of Haribhanga VEC to live without fear, danger, and discomfort. For the first time in years, the village now faced the monsoon rains without terror.

Flood Protection Wall at Haribhanga VEC

Balalgre VEC, is one of the hamlets with small population, mostly engaged in agricultural activities. Paddy is the staple crop of farmers which requires, sufficient water availability for a good yield. Prior to the construction of the reservoir, people were depended on the spring water and used indigenous methods to collect water from the source to their fields or home. There was a need to ease the life of farmers and residents by constructing a multipurpose reservoir, that can channelize the water to their paddy fields and can be used to meet their domestic requirements.The construction of the multipurpose reservoir was primarily put forward by the job card holders of the Balalgre V.E.C. The Technical Assistant of the concerned Block then visited the village to inspect the feasibility for the reservoir construction. Multiple perennial natural sources of spring water were identified, and the site was selected to construct the project. The project was implemented in convergence mode with Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme (I.B.D.L.P.). The total amount sanctioned for this project was approx. 17 lakhs, that also generated 3520 workdays for the locals.Today, the villagers are happy, as they have access to ample water. They can now utilize this for their paddy field cultivation and earn good yields. Life in the village is changing, farmers with better income realization, women managing business and other household activities, adolescent girls going to schools and many more. The village has made a successful move towards development, that has positively impacted the life of every person residing in the village.

Balalgre VEC, is one of the hamlets with small population, mostly engaged in agricultural activities. Paddy is the staple crop of farmers which requires, sufficient water availability for a good yield. Prior to the construction of the reservoir, people were depended on the spring water and used indigenous methods to collect water from the source to their fields or home. There was a need to ease the life of farmers and residents by constructing a multipurpose reservoir, that can channelize the water to their paddy fields and can be used to meet their domestic requirements.The construction of the multipurpose reservoir was primarily put forward by the job card holders of the Balalgre V.E.C. The Technical Assistant of the concerned Block then visited the village to inspect the feasibility for the reservoir construction. Multiple perennial natural sources of spring water were identified, and the site was selected to construct the project. The project was implemented in convergence mode with Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme (I.B.D.L.P.). The total amount sanctioned for this project was approx. 17 lakhs, that also generated 3520 workdays for the locals.Today, the villagers are happy, as they have access to ample water. They can now utilize this for their paddy field cultivation and earn good yields. Life in the village is changing, farmers with better income realization, women managing business and other household activities, adolescent girls going to schools and many more. The village has made a successful move towards development, that has positively impacted the life of every person residing in the village.

Balalgre VEC resolves water problem of the villager’s under MNREGS

Multipurpose Check Dam at Balalgre VEC

Meghalaya has emerged as one of the successful states under MGNREGA Program. With the support of VECs, the state has achieved more than 70% of the set target for FY 2020-21 and aims to provide an income support of Rs 17,000 pa to the beneficiary through e-FMS.

Total No. of Job Cards Issued Vs total No. of Active Job Cards till date

Multiple

Total expenditure spent in FY 2020-21 Vs till date in FY 2021-22

Total wages earned in FY 2020-21 Vs till date in FY 2021-22

Average days of employment provided per household year wise FY 2017-2022

Average wage rate per day person provided in Rs. year wise FY 2017-22

Total No. of households completed 100 DAYS Vs Total No. of person days generated in 2020-21

Multiple with district wise

Total No. of workers Vs total No. of Active workers till date

Average Annual Income per Household till July-2021 in FY 2021-22

Plain data

Total no. of registered people Vs Total no. of employed People

Multiple with block wise

No. of Registered Households V/S No of Registered Person

Amount Disbursed (in Lakhs) 2021-22

Plain data with block wise

Total Account Opened

Providing livelihood opportunities to rural households is a key focus area for the Government. Through MNREGS, the Government of Meghalaya has been transforming the lives of rural people and at the same time building infrastructure assets that benefit them in a unique community-led collaborative manner. In the 1st quarter of 2021, through the scheme, an amount of Rs.14,500/- cash support per registered household has been provided

MGNREGA-Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

In Mawrah village (East Khasi Hills), a 90 meter-long, 60 meter elevated bridge has been constructed by local villagers without any assistance from professional architect or civil engineer. This is a perfect example of how skilled and experienced masons have created a marvelous structure of this magnitude. The project cost is Rs.80 Lakh, generated 28960 man days work, provided 196 job cards to the local villagers with total wage earned of Rs.50 Lakh. PWD Engineers are astonished at the strength of the man-built bridge.

In Mawrah village (East Khasi Hills), a 90 meter-long, 60 meter elevated bridge has been constructed by local villagers without any assistance from professional architect or civil engineer. This is a perfect example of how skilled and experienced masons have created a marvelous structure of this magnitude. The project cost is Rs.80 Lakh, generated 28960 man days work, provided 196 job cards to the local villagers with total wage earned of Rs.50 Lakh. PWD Engineers are astonished at the strength of the man-built bridge.

Bridge connecting Mawarh Village to Kongthong Village (Whistling village fame)

MGNREGA-Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

Iconic bridge construiction - Mawrah village story

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Related posts

Natural Resource Management through bench terracing and earthen bunds at Umtham VEC, Ri Bhoi District

Dawki VEC, Transforming the life of locals under MNREGS, West Jaintia Hills, Amlarem C&RD Block.

Flood Protection Wall at Haribhanga VEC

Multipurpose Check Dam at Balalgre VEC

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