The Krishna district administration has taken several measures and launched the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in all the villages in 49 mandals on Tuesday. Estimations have been prepared for the works at an estimated cost of Rs 437 crore to benefit 3.44 lakh families. As per the guidelines envisaged in the scheme 100 days of work will be guaranteed to each family. The beneficiaries under the NREGS have received job cards and cluster wise works have also been identified. The district was divided into three divisions like Vijayawada, Nuzvid, Machilipatnam and each mandal is divided into three clusters. Use of machinery will not be allowed in the works and people are likely to get employment for more days. The main purpose of the scheme is to prevent migration of labour in search of employment and provide them with sufficient work to a minimum of 100 days in a year. Estimations on works were prepared in advance in delta areas and works will be taken up such as digging of canals and clearing the drains. The officials have identified a total of 22,676 works but on the first day only 880 works were started. These include 305 works from irrigation department, 58 of drain water system, 346 of panchayat raj, 47 works of rural water supply and 125 of other departments. The district collector, Ms Sailaja Ramaiar has launched this scheme in Chandrala village in Mylavaram mandal. The administration has taken steps to start the scheme in all areas by local elected representatives as the MLAs are busy with the budget session of State Assembly.