Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (Poor Welfare Employment Campaign) in India

The Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (GKRA), translating to "Poor Welfare Employment Campaign," was a large-scale initiative launched by the Government of India in June 2020. This program aimed to address the economic hardships faced by migrant workers and rural citizens due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Comprehensive Overview of GKRA

• Focus: Provided temporary employment and livelihood opportunities for returning migrant workers and affected rural populations.
• Duration: The program ran for 125 days, starting on June 20, 2020, and concluding on October 22, 2020.
• Scope: GKRA involved collaboration across 12 ministries and covered 116 districts across six states: Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Activities: The program focused on rural infrastructure development projects, including the construction of roads, wells, canals, and sanitation facilities. Additionally, it aimed to create modern amenities like internet connectivity in villages.
• Funding: The Indian government allocated a budget of ₹50,000 crore (US$7.1 billion) for the initiative.

Impact of GKRA

The Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan helped generate temporary employment for millions of migrant workers and rural citizens impacted by the pandemic and lockdowns. It also contributed to the development of essential rural infrastructure.

Focusing on specific benefits

• Employment generation: The GKRA has generated employment for millions of migrant workers and rural citizens. According to the Ministry of Rural Development, over 3.3 crore people have been provided with employment under the program as of March 2024.

• Infrastructure development: The GKRA has led to the construction of a wide range of rural infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, culverts, canals, ponds, check dams, community centers, and anganwadis. These projects have improved the lives of millions of people in rural India.

• Livelihood support: The GKRA has provided much-needed livelihood support to poor and marginalized communities. The wages earned under the program have helped families to meet their basic needs and purchase essential items.

• Economic stimulus: The GKRA has given a much-needed boost to the rural economy. The spending on infrastructure projects has created jobs and generated demand for goods and services.

• Social cohesion: The GKRA has helped to strengthen social cohesion in rural communities. The participation of people from different caste, class, and religious groups in the program has fostered a sense of unity and cooperation.

Conclusion

The Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan served as a crucial intervention during a challenging time. While the program's long-term impact requires further evaluation, it demonstrably provided immediate relief to millions of vulnerable workers. Additionally, the focus on rural infrastructure development has the potential for lasting benefits in participating communities.