Lucknow, June 10 (HS). Uttar Pradesh is in the grip of severe heat wave due to the scorching heat of the sun and hot winds coming from Rajasthan. In view of this, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has given strict instructions to the officials of the Rural Development Department. The Deputy Chief Minister said that more concrete arrangements should be made to protect MNREGA workers from the scorching heat and heat wave.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Monday directed all concerned officials to make all necessary arrangements for the protection and relief of MNREGA workers from the heat and heat wave.
He said that proper and effective arrangements for the care of MNREGA workers and their small children at the work place, first aid, adequate shade, pure drinking water etc. should be made under the MNREGA guidelines and Heat-Wave (Loo) Management Action Plan.
He directed that the working hours for workers should be suitable for working. The Deputy Chief Minister said that in case of increase in temperature during the day, the working hours of MNREGA workers can be revised from 6 am to 11 am and from 3 pm to 6 pm. The time can be decided at the district level according to the local temperature. Keeping in mind the health of MNREGA workers in the scorching heat, the government has given instructions to make arrangements for pure drinking water at the work site.
There are also instructions to make arrangements for first aid as per the need for MNREGA workers, so that any MNREGA worker can be given first aid to prevent heat-related diseases. Instructions have also been given to ensure arrangements for a shelter or a shady area near the workplace as per the rules.
Rural Development Commissioner G.S. Priyadarshi said that in view of the possibility of severe heat and heat wave, necessary guidelines have been issued to the districts in time as per the prescribed guidelines for the safety and health of the workers working under the MNREGA scheme.