The Government of India launched Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan (GKRA) on 20th June 2020 to create massive employment generation and livelihood opportunities for villagers, poor people, farmers and migrant workers, returning to villages, in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.
Why in News:
A rural public work scheme ‘GKRA’ worth Rs. 50,000 crore project to be implemented in a mission mode campaign in 125 days in 116 districts of 6 States. The Abhiyan formally launched from village Telihar, block Beldaur, district Khagaria, Bihar through video conferencing.
Aim :
Intensified and focused implementation of 25 different types of projects to generate employment to the migrant workers and create durable rural infrastructure.
Objectives :
* It will provide livelihood opportunity to returning migrant workers and similarly affected rural citizens.
* Create village infrastructure and provide livelihood opportunities viz. Roads, Housing, Anganwadis, Panchayat Bhavans, various livelihood assets and community complexes among others.
* It provide a wide variety of works will ensure that each migrant worker is able to get an opportunity of employment according to his skill, in the coming 125 days.
* A massive campaign kick-started for the welfare of the poor, for their employment.
Duration and Outlay :
Abhiyan will work in mission mode for 125 days with an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore.
Focus :
Abhiyan will create durable rural infrastructure and providing modern facilities like internet in the villages, and employment near home.
Beneficiaries :
This campaign will primarily provide livelihood opportunities to the returnee migrant workers for villagers, poor people, farmers in the current crisis of COVID-19 induced lockdown.
Coverage :
This Abhiyan total cover 116 districts in 6 States, namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajsthan, Jharkhand, and Odisha for returning migrant workers. The coverage districts in following ways –
1. Selected districts based on 2/3rd returnee migrants.
2. Chosen districts through socio-economic indicators.
3. The chosen districts include 27 Aspirational Districts.
Ministries/Departments Co-Ordination :
12 participants, namely Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Road Transport and Highways, Mines, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Environment, Railways, Petroleum & Natural Gas, New and Renewable Energy, Border Roads, Telecom and Agriculture for implementation of this scheme.
List of Chosen States :
| S. No. | State Name | Districts | Aspirational Districts |
| 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Total |
Bihar UP MP Rajasthan Odisha Jharkhand |
32 31 24 22 4 3 116 |
12 5 4 2 1 3 27 |
List of 25 Works & Activities :
| S.No. | Work/Activity | S.No. | Work/Activity |
| 1. | Construction of Community Sanitation Centre (CSC) |
14. | Construction of cattle sheds |
| 2. | Construction of Gram Panchayat Bhavan |
15. | Construction of poultry sheds |
| 3. | Works under 14th FC funds |
16. | Construction of Goat Shed |
| 4. | Construction of National Highway works |
17. | Construction of Vermi-compost structure |
| 5. | Water Conservation & Harvesting Works |
18. | Railway |
| 6. | Construction of Wells |
19. | RURBAN |
| 7. | Plantation Works |
20. | PM Kusum |
| 8. | Horticulture | 21. | Bharat Net |
| 9. | Construction of Anganwadi Centers |
22. | CAMPA Plantation |
| 10. | Construction of Rural housing Works |
23. | PM Urja Ganga Project |
| 11. | Rural Connectivity Works |
24. | KVK training for Livelihood |
| 12. | Solid and liquid Waste Management Works |
25. | District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) works |
| 13. | Construction of farm Ponds |