The food for work programme was started in November, 2004 in 150 most backward districts with the objective to provide them additional resources apart from the resources available under the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana.

The focus of the programme was on

•Water conservation

•Drought proofing and

•Land development

•Flood control

•Rural connectivity

The Provision of Programme -

•The wages to be given to the rural poor was to be divided as 5 kg of food grains per man per day and the remaining portion in cash.

•In exceptional cases, more than 5 kg food grains can be given to the labourers provided that atleast 25 % of wages should be paid in cash.