Considering the extreme heat conditions in Kalaburagi and Belagavi revenue divisions, the government has issued an order offering a 30% work concession under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for April and May this year.
Office hours
In an order issued on Friday, the government noted that work hours for government offices had been changed to 8 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. for April and May and a workload concession of 30% had been offered on the work taken up under the MGNREGA with full wages. The work concession would apply to 14 districts that fall under the Belagavi and Kalaburagi revenue divisions and come into force with immediate effect.
The order also directed the officers concerned to ensure the availability of clean drinking water, tents, first aid boxes, and other facilities near the MGNREGA worksites.
Referring to the order, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge said the government move was to protect rural labourers working under the job scheme from peak-time exposure to the sun.
Take precautions
“Labourers who work in open fields during the summer months are advised to take precautions such as wearing loose cotton clothes and consuming buttermilk, coconut water, and green vegetables instead of spicy food, tea, coffee, and junk food. They should drink enough clean water. The officers concerned are also directed to provide the workers with clean drinking water, first aid box, tent, and other basic facilities at the MGNREGA worksite,” he said in a press note.
Published – April 04, 2025 08:06 pm IST
