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• Recently an internal study conducted by the Union Ministry of Rural Development has suggested for decentralization of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
  • It also suggested providing more flexibility at the ground level.

 

Details

• The Union Ministry recently released the report of the 6th Common Review Mission, which surveyed; Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Nagaland, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to evaluate the implementation of all rural development schemes, including the MGNREGS.

 

Key suggestions made in the Report

• There should be a diversification of permissible works according to the local area requirement instead of listing the types of permissible works.
• The flexibility of work should be given at ground level to select the type of work.
• Since the last few years, the fund manager has been centralized instead of paying the gram sabhas an advance enabling them to decide the work they want to initiate.
  • The report highlighted that gram sabhas can take into account the local conditions and the community’s requirements; therefore some decision-making must be decentralized to them.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005

• The MGNREGA is Indian labour law and social security programme that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'.
• It provides a legal right for 100 days of employment in every financial year to at least one member of every rural household whose adult members agree to do unskilled manual work.
• The Ministry of Rural Development is monitoring the implementation of this scheme.
• Women were guaranteed one-third of the jobs made available under the MGNREGA.
• The MGNREGA programme also helps in creating durable assets (such as roads, canals, ponds and wells).
• Work is to be provided within 5 km of workers' residence and minimum wages are to be paid.
• Right to get unemployment allowance in case employment is not provided within 15 days of applying.
• MGNREGA is implemented mainly by gram panchayats. Adult members of rural households submit their details to the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Panchayat registers households after making an enquiry and issues a job card. The job card contains the details of the adult member enrolled and his /her photo
• The involvement of contractors is banned.
• The Social Audit of MGNREGA works is mandatory, which ensures accountability and transparency.

 

Constitutionality of MGNREGA

• MGNREGA provides a 'right to work' in accordance with Article 41 which directs the State to secure for all citizens the right to work.
• It also protects the environment through sustainable rural works, which is consistent with Article 48A which directs the State to protect the environment.
• Article 21 guarantees the right to life with dignity to every citizen of India, this act promotes dignity among the rural people through an assurance of livelihood security.
• Article 16 guarantees equality of opportunity in matters of public employment and prevents the State from discriminating against anyone in matters of employment on the grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, place of residence or any of them.
• NREGA also follows Article 46 which requires the State to promote the interests of and work for the economic uplift of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and protect them from discrimination and exploitation.
• Article 40 mandates the State to organize village panchayats and award them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.

 

Significance of MGNREGA

• The programme is providing economic security and creates rural assets.
• It also helps in protecting the environment, reducing rural-urban migration and promoting social equity, etc.
• It focuses on the economic and social empowerment of women.
• It provides “Green” and “Decent” work.
• Works under MGNREGA help to address the climate change vulnerability and protect the farmers from such risks and conserve natural resources.

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