Tried and tested

Legacy schemes are working in the time of Covid crisis

Given the sharp impact of the pandemic and the successive stages of the lockdown on employment and income, it is essential for the government to monitor how its welfare schemes are managing under the exceptional pressure those are under. The initial news appears heartening, particularly when it comes to the legacy schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the Public Distribution System (PDS). While it is understandable that recent advances in technology and digital connectivity have allowed for other pipelines for relief to be opened up, this recent experience with the pandemic and the