A recent study has revealed that a surge in the demand for jobs in five big states, including four that contribute to a high volume of migrant workers, has led to spending of more money this year under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) compared to the pre-pandemic year.

News agency Hindustan Times, in its report said Rs 73,000 crore was allocated this year to MGNREGS, the world’s largest guaranteed employment scheme under which at least 100-day work is annually provided to every rural household. Rs 94,994 crore has already been spent under the scheme, which has been provided a supplementary budget.

Also read: Cycle the common man’s ride: Akhilesh hits back at Modi’s bomb dig

Bihar, where the largest number of migrant workers returned during the first wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020, has spent Rs 5,771 crore under the scheme compared to Rs 3,371 crore in 2019-20.

Madhya Pradesh spent Rs 4,949 crore in 2019-20 under MGNREGS. This year, it has spent Rs 7,354 crore so far, a 32% jump. Odisha has spent Rs 5,375 crore this year compared to Rs 2,836 crore in 2019-20.

Also read: No political front sans Congress, says Sanjay Raut as KCR meets Uddhav

West Bengal spent Rs 7,480 crore in 2019-20 while the spending this year has been Rs 10,118 crore. Tamil Nadu has spent Rs 8,961 crore this year compared to Rs 5,621 crore in 2019-20.

It is reported that the rural development ministry has limited funds left for this year after the unexpected surge for MGNREGS jobs this year. Experts have largely attributed the demand to the slower-than-expected rebound of the economy and the second wave of the pandemic at the beginning of this financial year.

Also read: Punjab sees slump in voter turnout for Assembly polls, numbers hark back to 2002

The authorities expect the situation to stabilise and more people to return to the big cities for better jobs.