New Delhi, March 25 -- Only 15.6 million people sought work under the government's flagship rural job guarantee scheme in March, marking the lowest level for the month in at least five years, according to data from the ministry of rural development.

Participation declined from 21.9 million people in February, the data showed, indicating lower demand at the end of the financial year, which coincides with the rabi harvest season when farm work increases and workers shift away from seeking jobs under the scheme.

Participation under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, now renamed Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G), is often used as an indicator of rural labo...