Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan

The Government of India launched the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (GKRA) initiative to tackle the impact of COVID-19 on shramik (migrant) workers in India. It is a rural public works scheme which was launched on 20 June 2020 with an initial funding of ₹50,000 crore.

Highlights of the scheme:

• It is a skill-based employment scheme aimed primarily at migrant workers who have returned to their villages to escape the COVID lockdown distress.
• This campaign will work in mission mode for 125 days with an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore.
• The scheme covers 116 districts in six states, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Jharkhand
• The scheme is a joint effort by 12 different Ministries/Departments and covers 25 categories of works/ activities.

Why these 6 states were chosen?

• Post-COVID-19 lockdown, maximum migrant workers have returned to these six states.
• These districts are estimated to cover about 2/3 of such migrant workers.
• The chosen districts include 27 aspirational districts.

Important For Prelims Exam

Districts covered under the scheme.

What are aspirations districts?

Types of works covered under the scheme.

What are CSCs (Common Services Centre)?

Various ministries involved in the implementation of the scheme.

Important For Mains Exam

Discuss the features and significance of the scheme.