Rural Distress Persists as MGNREGS Work Demand Stays Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

MGNREGS has generated 40 crore more person-days of work in 2023-24 than pre-pandemic levels in 2019-20, indicating continuing rural distress
Work demand under the rural job scheme has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting employment opportunities have not normalized
2022-23 also saw 12 crore more person-days generated under MGNREGS compared to 2019-20
Experts say high MGNREGS demand shows high rural unemployment and distress
Loss of construction and migrant job opportunities in cities may be causing unskilled workers to rely more on rural job scheme