Objectives of MGNREGA
The main aim of MGNREGA is to create employment opportunities for rural residents. The scheme was introduced to increase the purchasing power of low-income individuals in rural India, particularly semi-skilled and unskilled laborers. The following are the objectives of the program:
- The objective of MGNREGA is to guarantee 100 days of employment in rural population, especially unskilled labour and provide a reliable source of livelihood to poor communities.
- MGNREGA aims to decrease rural-urban migration by creating employment opportunities locally, thereby improving the economic conditions of rural areas.
- the scheme aims to strengthen the Indian Panchayati Raj system.
- Empower women by facilitating their participation in the workforce.
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
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.
How to apply for MGNREGA job card
To get an NREGA job card, you can obtain the application form from the local gram panchayat or submit a written application on plain paper. Currently, the MGNREGA job card application process is entirely offline. However, the official NREGA website allows individuals to freely download the NREGA Job Card Application Form.
Essential details, such as a photograph of the applicant(s), names, ages, and genders of all applicants from the household, village name, gram panchayat name, block name, and information about SC/ST/IAY/LR beneficiary status, must be included in the NREGA form or when applying on plain paper.
Additionally, applicants should provide their specimen signature or thumb impression.
NREGA job card details
Here are a few details about the NREGA job card details:
- Details of all MGNREGA applicants in the household, including address, name, father’s name, age, gender, bank account number/Post Office bank account number, etc.
- Photograph of the job card holder
- Employment history
- Details of the work provided
- Dates of employment
- Unemployment allowance payout details (applicable when minimum guaranteed employment is not provided)
Work covers under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
Here are a few tasks which are covered under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme:
- Water conservation: Contour trenches, barriers, boulder checks, gabion structures, dams, stop dams, springs area improvement.
- Drought proofing: Afforestation, tree plantation.
- Irrigation canals: Micro and minor irrigation works.
- Irrigation facilities: Farm ponds, horticulture, plantation, farm bunding, land development on household-owned land.
- Renovation of water bodies: Desilting of tanks.
- Flood control: Drainage in waterlogged areas, deepening, repairing flood channels, stormwater drains for coastal protection.
- Rural connectivity: Culverts, roads within villages.
- Construction of Bharat Nirman: Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendra, Knowledge Resource Centre, Gram Panchayat Bhawan.
- Agriculture works: NADEP composting, vermicomposting, liquid bio-manures.
- Livestock works: Poultry shelter, goat shelter, pucca floor, urine tank, fodder trough, azolla as cattle-feed supplement.
- Fisheries works: Fisheries in seasonal water bodies on public land.
- Coastal area work: Fish drying yards, belt vegetation.
- Rural drinking water: Soak pits, recharge pits.
- 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?
Here are all the details about what the role of Gram Panchayat in MGNREGA is:
- Helping people register and get job cards
They register families who can benefit from MGNREGA and give them NREGA job cards. These cards are like proof that they can get work under MGNREGA.
- Planning and execution
They decide on projects that need to be done, like making roads or planting trees. They also make sure these projects happen properly on time.
- Transparency
They give jobs to families based on what's needed and availability. They make sure everyone gets a fair chance and being transparent while providing information about who gets work and how much they get paid.
- Paying wages and keeping records
They make sure workers get paid on time and keep good records of who worked, what they did, and how much they got paid.
- Checking everything is right
Gram Panchayats facilitate social audits where local people make sure everything is done the right way. People can also share their concerns and problems in public meetings organised by them.
- Solving problems
If someone has a problem with MGNREGA, they can talk to the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Panchayat works to solve issues and make sure things are fair.
They keep an eye on how well MGNREGA is working in their area. They collect information, make reports, and send it to higher authorities so they can check how good the program is doing.
What is the role of Gram Sabha in MGNREGA?T
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:
- Formulating rules to outline the state's responsibilities under the act.
- Establishing the State Employment Guarantee Council.
- Setting up the State Employment Guarantee Fund (SEGF).
- 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:
- Offering suggestions for enhancing the scheme's execution.
- Monitoring the scheme's progress.
- Recommending work proposals to the central government.
- Creating awareness about the scheme and its features in districts.
Eligibility criteria for NREGA scheme
MNREGA is applicable in rural areas across all Indian states, administered by the central government. The eligibility criteria for the NREGA scheme are as follows:
- Individual must hold an Indian citizenship
- Individual must be at least 18 years old when applying for NREGA
- A person should be part of a local household applicants should be willing to volunteer for unskilled labor to participate in the scheme
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.
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