MGNREGA – Full Form, Application Process, Eligibility, History, Quiz

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was implemented by the government of India in the Indian Economy to create job opportunities for the rural people. The MGNREGA guarantees the “right to work” for the Indian people. The act reduces unwanted migration for job search or casual work. The implementation of the scheme in the Indian Economy has increased the number of jobs in the Indian economy over the years.

Launching of the scheme MGNREGA

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was launched by the government of India in all the Gram Panchayats of district Mahendergarh and Sirsa on 2nd February 2006 and the scheme was extended in two more districts Ambala and Mewat on 1st April 2007.

Permissible works of MGNREGA

• To promote water conservation and water harvesting including gabion structures, underground dykes, and dams.

• drought proofing, afforestation and tree plantation;

• irrigation canals

• renovation of water bodies, and desilting of tanks

• flood control and manage drainage of water-logged areas including repairing flood channels, and construction of water drains for coastal protection;

• agricultural works, like NADEP(Narayan Deotao Pandharipande) composting, vermicomposting, and liquid bio-manures;

• Managing livestock such as poultry shelters, constructing pucca floors, urine tank

Main features of MGNREGA

• It gives the legal guarantee of wage employment to the members of rural households for at least 100 days per household

• It is applicable to all villages in a District

• Every rural household has the right to register.

• Job cards are issued to every household who are registered under MGNREGA

• The work must be provided within 5 km of distance from the village

• If the work provided is beyond 5 Kms, the applicants will be given 10% of the minimum wages

• The state government will pay 25% of the minimum wage for the 1st 30 days

• Wages must be paid according to the State Minimum Wage rate under the Minimum Wages Act 1948.

Eligibility Criteria

For receiving the benefits of MGNREGA Scheme, the following eligibility criteria is to be met by applicant:

1. Must be a Citizen of India
2. Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
3. Belongs to a Rural Household
4. Willing to do unskilled work

Key Facts 

• The Program offers guaranteed employment for 100 days to all those who are willing to work at the minimum wage as fixed by the government.
• 14 days is the minimum period to apply for work whereas there is no upper limit for the same.
• The applicant is entitled to receive unemployment allowance in case work is not assigned to him within 15 days.
• The unemployment allowance is granted as 1/4th of the minimum wage for the initial 30 days and half of it for the following period.
• The work is preferably provided within the radius of 5 km of the village.
• In case the work is provided beyond 5 km radius, the person becomes entitled to receive a travel allowance at the rate of 10%.
• The implementing agencies are also responsible for providing facilities like proper drinking water, safe work environment, medical facilities, ex-gratia payment etc. to the workers.
• The frequency of payment is preferably on a weekly basis and cannot be delayed more than 15 days from the date when the work was done. If so, the worker has the right to claim delayed-payment compensation.
• In case of grievances, the redressal is to be within 7 days of the complaint.

Benefits of MGNREGA Scheme

There are numerous benefits the MGNREGA scheme lends, especially to rural households. All the rules and regulations are designed specifically for the underprivileged. Some essential benefits that are given to their workers are:

• Women and older people are given a special allowance to work in their vicinity.
• Workers are entitled to basic facilities at the work-site like safe drinking water, a creche for children, and medical facilities for major and minor injuries.
• MNREGA provides a safe, secure, and decent work environment
• It promotes infrastructural development in rural areas.
• The scheme focuses on women’s economic development, social empowerment, and upliftment.
• If the wages are not paid within 15 days, then compensation for the same can be lodged by the workers.
• Grievances redressal mechanism is also placed to ensure a responsive implementation process.
• MGNREGA works with the sole motive of eliminating poverty from the country and narrowing the ratio between rich and poor.

Objectives of MGNREGA

The MNREGA scheme targets unskilled people who seek work opportunities in the unskilled working sector. It has some common objectives for the people who work under this scheme. This act is followed in 35 states and UTs with shared goals for everyone working under this scheme. Some of these shared goals include:

• Improve the purchasing power of the people residing in rural India
• One-third of the scheme is reserved for women to give women the opportunity to earn a living
• MNREGA yojna provides a legal guarantee wage to rural people
• The candidates are allowed to undertake any work based on their preference. However, the order of each piece of work, site selection, and other related aspects are supervised by the Gram Sabha (in an open assembly)
• The work site for MGNREGA employees has unique facilities such as a creche, drinking water, and shade for workers to provide them with assistance when they are working
• MNREGA yojna targets activities like water conservation, afforestation, rural connectivity, flood control, embankment repair, and many other activities.

Few issues under MGNREGA

1. Low wage rates: The MGNREGA wage rates that now apply to 17 states are lower than the respective state minimum salaries. The primary cause of workers’ disinterest in the MGNREGA plan is the low wage rates.
   

2. Insufficient budget allocation: Approximately 80% of money are depleted within six months almost annually. One of the primary problems with MGNREGA is that there is insufficient funding allocated to guarantee the program’s correct execution.
   

3. Regular payment delays: The Management Information System (MIS) does not yet include a facility for calculating wage delays or compensating for them, notwithstanding the Supreme Court’s decision. Consequently, it is inaccurate for the government to say that 92% of payments are generated on time. A cursory examination conducted on the ground will reveal that payments are frequently behind schedule.

4. The banking puzzle: The reason why rural banks are constantly packed is that they are typically understaffed and lack infrastructure. In order to withdraw their pay, employees typically need to visit the banks many times. Additionally, due to high volume and subpar management, the bank passbooks are not kept up to date. Because of the stress and hurry at banks, employees sometimes don’t receive their salaries on time.

5. Non-payment of unemployment allowance: The workers are unable to get unemployment allowance which is clearly shown in the MIS. No action is taken by the Central Government to resolve this issue.

Activities covered under MGNREGA

As laid down by the Union Rural Development Ministry, the scheme covers an extensive number of activities as listed below-

• Rural Drinking Water Projects
• Agricultural and allied activities
• Rural Sanitation Projects
• Irrigation and Flood management works
• Livestock related work
• Fisheries
• Construction of Anganwadi Centres, etc.

What is the Role of State Governments in MGNREGA?

Apart from Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat, the state government also actively controls the MGNREGA. Here are a few key responsibilities of the State Government:

• Frame rules on matters about State responsibilities under Section 32 of the Act
• Set up the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC)
• Along with SEGC, they set up a State level MGNREGA social audit with a requisite number of people who have some knowledge about MGNREGA, its processes, and demonstrated commitment to social audit.
• The State Government also implements state-level MGNREGA with an adequate number of professionals.
• Establish and regulate a State Employment Guarantee Fund (SEGF)
• The State Government also operates the MGNREGA yojna budget and its release into the SEGF at the beginning of the financial year
• Assign financial and administrative powers to the District Program Coordinator (DPC) and the Programme Officer (PO)  for the effective implementation of the Scheme.
• They also build up a network of professional agencies for training, technical assistance, and QC measures
• Regular review, thorough research, monitoring, and evaluation of MGNREGA processes and outcomes are also undertaken by the state government.
• Ensure accountability and transparency in the Scheme at each level.
• Generate as much awareness about MGNREGA as possible all across the state.

A government initiative known as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, or MGNREGA Yojna, aims to assist the poor, particularly those who do not have a source of income. This plan is designed for the family’s adult members—men and women alike—who have all the essentials for living on-site.

The legislation is a crucial step in improving the infrastructure, jobs, and economy of the rural area. It is anticipated that it will also improve people’s quality of life over time. The law and regulation of the system involves several parties, including the national government, the state, the Gram Sabha, and the Gram Panchayat. It has also established a daily minimum pay so that all workers may benefit to some extent from the program.

MGNREGA Quiz – MCQ Objective Questions with Answer

1. When was MGNREGA scheme passed?

a. 2006
b. 2005
c. 2009
d. 2004