- Leverages the MGNREGS scheme of the Government of India
- Adopts a 4 pronged approach –Mobilisation of people, Facilitation by engaging with local authorities, Technical Support during execution, Focus on Asset Building
In line with its commitment to put Nation First and responding to the needs arising out of the unprecedented lockdown implemented to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
ITC has spearheaded a unique initiative to enable the creation of an eco-system that would lead to signification livelihood generation for farmers and daily wage earners under the ambit of the Government’s MGNREG Scheme.
While ITC had already put in place a comprehensive plan to provide relief to the needy as well as the frontline warriors in 25 states within days of the lockdown.
The Company also recognized that economic rehabilitation of its rural stakeholders was the crying need of the hour. Given that there was a significant loss of livelihood among marginal farmers and landless laborers.
Initiating discussions with the government and people on the ground, ITC galvanized its NGO partners to mobilize farmers and wage earners in the catchment areas of its operations to enable them to access work opportunities under MGNREGS.
Commenting on this pioneering initiative, Mr. S Sivakumar, Group Head of ITC’s Agri-Business said:
“Inspired by its credo of Nation First: Sab Saath Badhein, ITC, in collaboration with district administrations and NGO partners, is enabling the rural workforce in the catchment of its operations to access income-generating opportunities under the MGNREG Scheme.
The objective is to scale up this program by extending it to more regions in these unprecedented and challenging times”.
ITC also provided technical support for planning and execution of work in different areas.