National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)

NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) ensures rural employment, providing a minimum of 100 days of wage work to enhance livelihood security.
NREGA
4 mins
19-November-2024

The NREGA full form is National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was implemented in 2005. It was renamed as MGNREGA full form is Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in 2009. The MGNREGA scheme guarantees 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households. As of 2022-23, 15.4 crore workers are benefiting from this scheme, contributing to rural development, infrastructure, and enhancing livelihoods. This promotes sustainable progress in rural India.

The wages earned through MGNREGA provide a source of income for rural families. Workers can consider options like Fixed Deposits (FDs) for saving portions of their earnings. FDs offer secure returns and flexibility, helping those employed under MGNREGA build financial stability over time.

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Objectives of MGNREGA

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a significant government initiative aimed at enhancing rural livelihoods and promoting rural development. It provides a legal guarantee for 100 days of wage employment in every financial year to adult rural households.

Key Objectives of MGNREGA:

  • Employment guarantee: The primary objective is to ensure employment security for rural households, particularly during lean agricultural seasons.
  • Economic security: By providing regular wage employment, MGNREGA aims to improve the economic condition of rural households.
  • Rural development: The scheme promotes rural development by creating productive assets like roads, irrigation canals, and water conservation structures.
  • Reduced rural-urban migration: By providing employment opportunities in rural areas, MGNREGA can help reduce the migration of rural labor to urban centers.

New initiatives in the wage employment program

 Key Initiatives of the NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) Program:

  • People-centric approach: Prioritizes the needs of rural workers and ensures greater accessibility compared to other schemes.
  • Guaranteed wage employment: Provides a safety net for rural workers by guaranteeing them paid work.
  • Demand-driven: Work projects are initiated based on the demand and needs of the local workers.
  • Compensation and allowances: Include provisions for compensation and allowances to address any wage-related issues.
  • Financial incentives for states: The central government covers 75% of material costs and 100% of labor costs for state governments to create jobs.
  • Unemployment allowance responsibility: State governments are held accountable for providing unemployment allowances if they fail to offer sufficient employment opportunities.
  • Gram panchayat involvement: Local village councils (Gram Panchayats) are responsible for implementing at least 50% of the NREGA projects.
  • Social audit: Regular scrutiny and inspection of project implementation to ensure transparency and accountability.
  • Annual reporting: The Central Employment Guarantee Council (CEGC) and State Employment Guarantee Councils (SEGC) submit annual reports on project outcomes to the central and state governments, respectively.

NREGA state-wise wage rate list

State and Union Territory

Daily Wage Rate for NREGA Labor

Andhra Pradesh

Rs. 300.00

Arunachal Pradesh

Rs. 234.00

Assam

Rs. 249.00

Bihar

Rs. 245.00

Chhattisgarh

Rs. 243.00

Goa

Rs. 356.00

Gujarat

Rs. 280.00

Haryana

Rs. 374.00

Himachal Pradesh (Non-Scheduled Area)

Rs. 236.00

Himachal Pradesh (Scheduled Area)

Rs. 295.00

Jammu & Kashmir

Rs. 259.00

Ladakh

Rs. 259.00

Jharkhand

Rs. 245.00

Karnataka

Rs. 349.00

Kerala

Rs. 346.00

Madhya Pradesh

Rs. 243.00

Maharashtra

Rs. 297.00

Manipur

Rs. 272.00

Meghalaya

Rs. 254.00

Mizoram

Rs. 266.00

Nagaland

Rs. 234.00

Odisha

Rs. 254.00

Punjab

Rs. 322.00

Rajasthan

Rs. 266.00

Sikkim

Rs. 249.00

Sikkim (Gyathang, Lachung, Lachen Panchayats)

Rs. 374.00

Tamil Nadu

Rs. 319.00

Telangana

Rs. 300.00

Tripura

Rs. 242.00

Uttar Pradesh

Rs. 237.00

Uttarakhand

Rs. 237.00

West Bengal

Rs. 250.00

Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Andaman District)

Rs. 329.00

Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Nicobar District)

Rs. 374.00

Chandigarh

Rs. 324.00

Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Rs. 324.00

Daman and Diu

Rs. 324.00

Lakshadweep

Rs. 315.00

Puducherry

Rs. 319.00


Source
: Wage rate notification for FY2023-24

Work covers under the NREGA scheme

Here are a few tasks which are covered under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme:

  1. Water conservation: Contour trenches, barriers, boulder checks, gabion structures, dams, stop dams, springs area improvement.
  2. Drought proofing: Afforestation, tree plantation.
  3. Irrigation canals: Micro and minor irrigation works.
  4. Irrigation facilities: Farm ponds, horticulture, plantation, farm bunding, land development on household-owned land.
  5. Renovation of water bodies: Desilting of tanks.
  6. Flood control: Drainage in waterlogged areas, deepening, repairing flood channels, stormwater drains for coastal protection.
  7. Rural connectivity: Culverts, roads within villages.
  8. Construction of Bharat Nirman: Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendra, Knowledge Resource Centre, Gram Panchayat Bhawan.
  9. Agriculture works: NADEP composting, vermicomposting, liquid bio-manures.
  10. Livestock works: Poultry shelter, goat shelter, pucca floor, urine tank, fodder trough, azolla as cattle-feed supplement.
  11. Fisheries works: Fisheries in seasonal water bodies on public land.
  12. Coastal area work: Fish drying yards, belt vegetation.
  13. Rural drinking water: Soak pits, recharge pits.
  14. Rural sanitation: Individual household latrines, school toilet units, anganwadi toilets, solid and liquid waste management.

Any other work decided by the Central Government, in consultation with the State Government.

Read Also: What Is National Savings Scheme (NSS)

What is the role of Gram Panchayat in MGNREGA?

The Gram Sabha plays a crucial role in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme:

  • Prioritising Works: It identifies and ranks potential projects based on local needs and resources.
  • Monitoring Implementation: The Gram Sabha oversees the execution of works within the Gram Panchayat.
  • Social Audits: It acts as the primary platform for conducting social audits, ensuring transparency and accountability.
  • Resolving Worker Grievances: The Gram Sabha provides a forum for workers to address any concerns or queries related to MGNREGA work.

What is the role of Gram Sabha in NREGA?

Here are all the details about what the role of Gram Sabha in MGNREGA is:

Prioritising local works based on their potential in the area.

Monitoring the execution of work within the Gram Panchayat

Serving as the primary forum for social audits.

Providing a platform to address workers' queries related to any MGNREGA work.

 

Role of state governments in MGNREGA

Here are all the details about what the role of state governments in MGNREGA is:

  1. Formulating rules to outline the state's responsibilities under the act.
  2. Establishing the State Employment Guarantee Council.
  3. Setting up the State Employment Guarantee Fund (SEGF).
  4. Ensuring the appointment of Employment Guarantee Assistants (Gram Rozgar Sahayak), as well as Personnel Officers and staff at the State, district, cluster, and Gram Panchayat levels for the effective execution of the scheme.

Read also: MSSC scheme

Role of State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC) in MGNREGA

Here are all the details about what the role of State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC) in MGNREGA is:

  1. Offering suggestions for enhancing the scheme's execution.
  2. Monitoring the scheme's progress.
  3. Recommending work proposals to the central government.
  4. Creating awareness about the scheme and its features in districts.

Benefits of the MGNREGA scheme

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides numerous benefits, particularly for rural communities:

  • It guarantees 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households, reducing unemployment and poverty.
  • The scheme helps improve the income levels of rural families, especially the economically weaker sections.
  • Projects under MGNREGA, such as building roads and improving irrigation, contribute to rural infrastructure.
  • It provides equal wages and work opportunities for women, contributing to financial independence and gender equality.
  • The scheme acts as a safety net during agricultural off-seasons or in times of economic distress.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) app

The MGNREGA App is a digital tool designed to provide easier access to information and services related to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Through the app, users can:

  • Workers can track their job applications and work status in real-time.
  • The app allows beneficiaries to monitor wage payments and pending dues.
  • It provides access to details of work sanctioned, progress reports, and funds allocation, promoting transparency.
  • Rural workers can easily access key information using a mobile device, ensuring better participation and accountability.

Eligibility criteria for National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)

MNREGA is applicable across all rural areas of India. While the central government oversees its administration, the implementation is carried out at the state level.

  • Indian citizenship: Applicants must be Indian citizens.
  • Age limit: Job seekers should be at least 18 years old.
  • Rural residency: Applicants must be part of a local rural household.
  • Unskilled labour: Willingness to undertake unskilled manual work.

NREGA entitlements to eligible rural individuals

Under the NREGA Act, eligible rural individuals enrolled in the MGNREGA scheme have the following legal entitlements:

  1. Right to a job card: Each eligible household receives a job card to access employment opportunities.
  2. Right to demand and receive work: Individuals can demand work within 15 days of application.
  3. Right to unemployment allowance: If work is not provided within 15 days, an unemployment allowance is payable.
  4. Right to plan and prepare projects: Local communities can participate in planning and preparing a list of potential projects.
  5. Right to work proximity: Work should be provided within a 5 km radius of the village.
  6. Right to worksite facilities: Basic facilities like drinking water and toilets must be provided at worksites.
  7. Right to notified wage rate: Workers are entitled to receive the minimum wage rate as notified by the government.
  8. Right to timely wage payment: Wages must be paid within 15 days of work completion.
  9. Right to grievance redressal and social audit: Individuals have the right to lodge complaints and participate in social audits to ensure transparency and accountability.

Coverage under the MGNREGA

The MGNREGA scheme offers a wide range of employment opportunities in rural areas. The Union Rural Development Ministry has specified the following activities under this scheme:

  • Agriculture and related activities
  • Rural sanitation projects
  • Watershed development works
  • Irrigation and flood management works
  • Livestock-related works
  • Fisheries and coastal area development
  • Rural drinking water projects
  • Construction of Anganwadi Centres, etc.

MGNREGA helpline number

Find state-specific helpline numbers and email addresses for any complaints related to the NREGA scheme.

Ministry of Rural Development - Government of India Address: Krishi Bhavan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi - 110001, India

Conclusion

MGNREGA not just offers employment but a pathway to sustainable rural development. By ensuring 100 days of work annually, empowering marginalised communities. Through its diverse projects and community-focused approach, MGNREGA has become an important instrument for transforming the rural areas of India.

Want to Know More Government Schemes? Read below Listed Other Government Schemes Article

Frequently Asked Questions

Who introduced MGNREGA?

The act was first proposed by Ex Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991

Why is MNREGA still active under the new government?

MNREGA continues under successive governments as it plays a crucial role in providing employment and supporting rural livelihoods, aligning with broader national development goals.

What is the difference between ‘Skill India’ initiative and MNREGA?

'Skill India' focuses on enhancing industry related technical skills for securing better jobs, while MNREGA provides guaranteed employment opportunities, primarily in rural areas, addressing immediate livelihood needs.

What is the definition of Household in MGNREGA?

"Household" refers to individuals within a family unit connected by blood, marriage, or adoption, typically residing together and sharing meals or holding a collective ration card.

Is the Employment Guarantee Act limited to particular states or districts?

No, it is operational in every rural district nationwide.

Who started Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005?

MGNREGA was initiated by the Government of India under the leadership of then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. It aimed to enhance livelihood security in rural areas.

Which state first started MGNREGA?

MGNREGA was first implemented in the state of Andhra Pradesh on February 2, 2006. It was one of the first states to pilot the scheme, setting the stage for nationwide implementation.

What is the full name of MGNREGA?

The full name of MGNREGA is the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

What is the difference between NREGA and MGNREGA?

NREGA and MGNREGA are the same government scheme. NREGA stands for National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, while MGNREGA stands for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The scheme was renamed from NREGA to MGNREGA in 2009 as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

What is the MGNREGA scheme?

The MGNREGA was launched to improve the livelihoods of rural households by guaranteeing at least 100 days of paid work per year for adult members who are willing to do unskilled manual labor.

What is the main objective of MGNREGA?

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was introduced on 7th September 2005. It aims to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed paid work per year to adult members of rural households who are willing to do unskilled manual labor.

Who started the MGNREGA scheme?

The Act was initially proposed by Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991. After its parliamentary approval, it was implemented in 625 districts across India.

Who can apply for MNREGA?

Adults aged 18 and over can apply for an NREGA card by registering under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA Yojana. This can be done on a prescribed form or on plain paper and should be submitted to the local Gram Panchayat at any time during the year.

Is MGNREGA successful?

The MGNREGA programme is the world's largest social welfare scheme. It has helped to lift millions of villagers out of rural poverty over the past decade. The following key factors have contributed to its success.

What is the new name of NREGA?

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is the new name for the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).

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