Municipal Administration minister Mr KTR appeals for MNREGS like scheme for urban poor.
In view of growing urban poverty and mass migration from rural areas, the Central government should consider launching an employment guarantee scheme for the urban poor similar to the MNREGS, said Municipal Administration minister Mr K T Rama Rao.
In a letter to the Union Finance minister Ms Nirmala Sitaraman, Mr Rao said that nearly 30 percent of the population lives in urban areas as per 2011 census. It could go up to 40 percent by 2030.
Telangana is one such state that is witnessing a faster rate of migration and urbanisation.
The State government is trying to tackle the issues such as urban poverty, the provision of basic amenities such as shelter, drinking water, health and lighting facilities for newly migrating people in cities. Moreover, the women, children, and elderly are the most vulnerable groups that need special care.
It would be better if the Central government considers the launch of the National Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme (NUGS) in the ensuing budget session of Parliament, Mr Rao opined.
The minister further pointed out that due to faster migration the urban poor might constitute 50 percent of the population in near future and it is time for the centre to take note of the same and initiate some interventions to tackle the issue.
The urban poor could be given job cards and their services could be utilised in areas such as increasing green cover and providing basic infrastructure services, Mr Rama Rao said.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao