The Indiramma Aatmiya Bharosa scheme has significantly increased participation in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) work across villages. The government has made it mandatory for beneficiaries to complete at least 20 days of NREGA work to qualify for financial aid. As a result, many laborers are actively seeking job opportunities.
Earlier, village officials had to repeatedly urge people to take part in NREGA work, often with little success. In some cases, authorities even threatened to cancel job cards if workers failed to attend. However, the situation has now changed completely, with laborers eagerly looking for work to meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance.
₹12,000 Financial Aid Attracts More Workers
The Indiramma Aatmiya Bharosa scheme provides ₹12,000 in financial aid to landless families. To receive this benefit, individuals must have an active NREGA job card and complete at least 20 days of work. The government estimates that around five lakh families in Telangana qualify for this scheme.
As part of the first phase, the government has deposited ₹320 crore directly into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries. However, many people failed to complete the required 20 days of work, making them ineligible for the benefit. Now, many villagers are rushing to participate in NREGA work, hoping to qualify for the scheme in the next financial year.
Rise in Job Card Applications
Many families are also applying for separate job cards for newly married couples or adult children. Parents are advising their children to apply independently, as landless individuals can receive additional job cards. Due to the increasing number of applications, the Rural Development Department is considering issuing new job cards in the upcoming financial year.
Significant Increase in Workdays
Since October, there has been a sharp rise in the number of workdays recorded under NREGA. Compared to the previous financial year, officials expect more workdays to be recorded this year.
For 2024-25, the central government has approved 12 crore workdays for Telangana. By February 24, 2025, workers have already completed 10.81 crore workdays. Since NREGA is a legal guarantee, there is no limit on the number of workdays per worker, and the central government is responsible for wage payments. Workers can continue working until March-end and receive wages accordingly.
Higher Demand Expected in Summer
The demand for NREGA work is expected to increase further, especially in the summer season, when agricultural work is limited. On February 11, about 52,000 workers were engaged in NREGA work, but this number jumped to 1.18 lakh by February 24. This trend suggests that participation will continue to rise in the coming weeks.
The Indiramma Aatmiya Bharosa scheme has successfully motivated workers to take up NREGA jobs. The financial aid incentive has encouraged more people to participate in rural employment programs, ensuring better livelihood security. As the financial year ends, the next phase of the scheme and the issuance of new job cards will play an essential role in shaping future participation in NREGA work across the state.
