PMK leader calls for more rural employment funds in Tamil Nadu

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has urged the Tamil Nadu government to increase funding for the state's rural employment guarantee scheme. He characterized the recent allocation of Rs 100 crore as an ineffective gesture that is insufficient to meet the state's objectives.

Ramadoss noted that while the central government increased guaranteed work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) from 100 to 125 days, the Tamil Nadu government aims to provide 150 days annually. He argued that the state must bear the full financial burden for the additional 25 days of work.

According to the PMK leader, approximately 69.11 lakh families in Tamil Nadu are actively seeking and receiving work under the scheme. Based on a calculated daily cost of Rs 532.02 per beneficiary, he stated that the government requires Rs 367.68 crore per day to sustain the program for all active families.