The Union Government on 17 June 2015 decided to increase the number of workdays under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) from 100 days to 150 days in drought-affected areas of the country.
MGNREGA launched in 2009 annually provides 100 days work to rural household of India.

The cost of providing 50 more days of work to the rural households will be borne by the Union Government and it will be applicable to those households only that complete its 100 days work.

The decision to increase the wage days in drought-affected areas was taken as Government is expecting an increase in demand for wage-based employment due to drought affecting regular agricultural activities in some places.

Earlier in February 2014, previous government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the number of workdays under MNREGA was increased from 100 days to 150 days for tribal areas who have received land rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.