Kollam, July 4 (UNI) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Kollam district in Kerala has generated 24.59 lakh workdays during the Quarter 1 of the current financial year, benefiting a total of 1.92 lakh families.
Kollam ranks fourth in the state for progress in generating workdays, a result attributed to the effective and timely execution of essential sector jobs.
An expenditure of Rs 385.15 crore facilitated the completion of 96.41 lakh workdays. Out of this amount, Rs 323.86 crore was spent on wages and Rs 46.58 crore on materials. Among the 1,36,743 families that received employment, 67,281 families completed 100 days of work.
The scheme also benefited 25,860 Scheduled Caste (SC) families and 1,145 Scheduled Tribe (ST) families, who were provided with 19.18 lakh and 1.43 lakh workdays, respectively. Out of these, 13,279 SC families and 723 ST families completed 100 days of work.
With Rs 46.58 crore allocated for materials, the district completed various infrastructure projects, including 417 concrete roads, 41 agricultural ponds, 237 cattle sheds, 148 goat shelters, 140 poultry shelters, 47 irrigation wells, six Self Help Group (SHG) work sheds, and 11 Anganwadi buildings.
As part of sanitation efforts, 986 soak pits, 152 compost pits, and 37 Azolla tanks were constructed. The projects focused on asset creation, soil and water conservation in wetland areas, agricultural development, and strengthening rural economic security.
For the 2025-26 financial year, the district has proposed a target of 1.01 crore (10.146 million) workdays. The labor budget and action plan were prepared by the Gram Panchayats, approved by the District Panchayat, and submitted to the State Mission. However, the Union Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned only 52.85 lakh workdays, according to R.S. Anu, Joint Director of the MGNREGA scheme.
