Bihar lifts restrictions on MGNREGA work across all 38 districts

Bihar authorities have lifted restrictions on rural employment work that had been suspended to protect agricultural activities during the critical cultivation season. The work-break period, which concluded on December 10, 2026, was implemented to ensure that MGNREGA operations would not interfere with ongoing farm activities across the state.

The restriction, which covered the period from October 22 to December 10, 2026, was a precautionary measure designed to balance rural livelihood support with the needs of Bihar's agricultural sector during a time-sensitive phase of crop production. State officials had determined that suspending construction and other MGNREGA-related work during these months was necessary to prevent disruption to farming operations.

With the lifting of these restrictions, MGNREGA workers across Bihar's 38 districts are now cleared to resume employment under the federal rural employment guarantee scheme. The decision allows workers who faced reduced work opportunities during the designated break period to return to regular employment cycles, providing renewed income opportunities in rural areas.

The move reflects efforts by Bihar's administration to coordinate between social welfare schemes and agricultural imperatives, ensuring that employment guarantee programmes support rural communities without compromising agricultural productivity during critical farming seasons.