Renu Suresh
Expert
Published on: Sep 17, 2026
Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana
The Government of India launched the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) to provide sustainable employment and food security to the rural poor. This initiative is designed to assist individuals living below the poverty line by offering wages and food grain. In this article, we will thoroughly examine the various aspects and benefits of the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana.
Objective of SGRY
The objectives of the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana are as follows:
- To generate additional and supplementary wage employment opportunities in rural areas.
- To ensure food security and improve nutritional levels across rural regions of India.
- To focus on creating durable community, social, and economic assets, along with infrastructural development in rural locations.
Features of Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Scheme
The Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Scheme boasts several key features:
- The scheme is implemented through the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), ensuring grassroot-level administration.
- Funds and food grains are allocated for all three levels of PRIs: District Panchayat, Intermediate Panchayat, and Village Panchayat.
- Resources are distributed in a ratio of 20:30:50 among the different Panchayat tiers within a district.
- The Ministry retains a small percentage of resources to address acute distress due to natural disasters or for preventive infrastructure measures.
Beneficiaries of SGRY
The SGRY scheme is targeted towards the rural poor requiring wage employment and is inherently self-targeting. Priorities include:
- Agricultural and non-agricultural wage earners
- Marginal farmers, women, and those affected by calamities
- Special focus on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and parents of child laborers or handicapped children
Distribution of Resources under the SGRY Scheme
This centrally sponsored employment scheme is funded with 75% from the Central Government and 25% from State Governments. The Central Government also supplies food grains, providing support through the Ministry of Rural Development to the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The State Government handles transportation and other logistical costs.
Employment and Wages
Each labourer under the scheme receives a minimum of 5 kg of food grains as part of their wages, with at least 25% of the rest paid in cash. The state government adjusts the cost of grains based on BPL and APL rates according to availability.
Special Safeguards for Women and Weaker Sections
SGRY mandates at least 50% of funds be allocated to SC/ST community infrastructure development. Furthermore, 30% of employment opportunities must be reserved for women, and 22.5% of resources should aid SC/ST families below the poverty line.
Types of Work under SGRY
The scheme emphasizes projects creating durable productive community assets:
- Infrastructure support for Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana
- Support agricultural activities in the Village Panchayat area
- Community infrastructure for education and health
- Socio-economic community assets
- Renovation of traditional village tanks or ponds
Focus on SCs/STs of BPL Category
22.5% of District and Intermediate Panchayat resources target SC/ST projects, including:
- Development of surplus land, social forestry, and plantations on SC/ST lands
- Infrastructure for self-employment programs
- Pond excavation, and sustainable income-generating projects
Prohibited Works under SGRY
Certain types of works are not permitted under the SGRY scheme:
- Buildings for religious purposes or monuments
- Higher secondary and college buildings, or blacktopping roads
Muster Rolls and Employment Records
Each project maintains muster rolls detailing wages to workers alongside food grains distribution records. These rolls help track employment among scheduled castes, tribes, and women.
Conclusion
The Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana effectively enhances food security, nutritional standards, and socio-economic conditions through employment opportunities in rural India. Explore additional self-employment opportunities here.