About MGNREGA:
#GS II #Government Policies and Interventions
Topic Government Policies and Interventions
Context:
- If the Centre-State dispute over the breach of the regulations in the scheme’s execution is not resolved, money from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) would likely be withheld for West Bengal in the upcoming fiscal year.
About:
- On August 25, 2005, Indian lawmakers approved the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), often known as the MNREGS or the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Plan.
- Adult members of any rural family who are willing to work 100 days per fiscal year in unskilled manual labour related with public work for the statutory minimum pay are officially guaranteed employment under the MGNREGA.
- In collaboration with state governments, the Indian Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is in responsibility of overseeing the full implementation of this initiative.
- This law seeks to increase the purchasing power of rural Indians, particularly those who are employed in low-wage, semi-skilled jobs and are below the poverty line.
- It makes an effort to close the wealth and poverty gaps in the nation.
- The proportion of women in the workforce must be around one third.
- Adults in rural households provide the Gram Panchayat with their name, age, address, and photo.
- After conducting inquiries, the Gram Panchayat registers residences and provides employment cards.
- The job card for the adult member includes both their name and photo.
- A registered person should write to the Panchayat or the Programme Officer to submit an application for a position (for at least fourteen days of continuous work).
- A letter outlining the work will be issued to the applicant and posted at the Panchayat office after the Panchayat/Program officer approves a valid application and dates it as received.
- Within a 5 km radius, there will be work; if further, additional pay will be given.
Qualifying requirements:
- An applicant must be an Indian citizen in order to be eligible for MGNREGA benefits.
- The job applicant was of legal drinking age at the time of application.
- The applicant must reside locally (i.e. application must be made with local Gram Panchayat).
- The applicant must be able to perform manual labour.
Crucial information:
- A rural family that has people who volunteer to perform unskilled manual labour is entitled to 100 days of paid work each fiscal year under the MGNREGA.
- Members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, small- or marginal-farmers, people who have benefited from land reforms, or those who have benefited from the Indira Awaas Yojana of the Government of India may submit individual beneficiary-oriented works for consideration.
- The applicant will receive a paid job offer within 15 days after submitting their application, or on the first day that labour is required.
- The applicant is entitled to unemployment benefits if no employment is obtained within fifteen days after making an application or from the date work is sought after.
- After the service is finished, payment is due within fifteen days.
- Gram Panchayaths are permitted to operate on a wide range of projects.
- The economic and social empowerment of women is a key component of MGNREGA.
- the “Green” and “Decent” jobs provided by MGNREGA.
- Forcing social audits for MGNREGA programmes fosters accountability and transparency.
- The MGNREGA programme seeks to safeguard farmers from such dangers, minimise their dependency on climate change, and maintain natural resources.
- The Gram Sabha is the main forum for wage earners to voice their issues and make demands.
- The list of MGNREGA projects is approved by the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat, who also determine the projects’ priority.
