Revamping of MGNREGS

Prelims – Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Public Policy.

Mains (GS II) – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Why in news?

The recent report by Parliamentary Standing Committee on rural development and Panchayati raj chaired by Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar recommended to revamp MGNREGS.

Key recommendations of the parliamentary panel

• Increasing guaranteed workdays – The panel recommended to increase the guaranteed working days from 100 to 150.
• For climate mitigation and disaster relief, the panel recommended increasing work limit from 150 to 200 days under the Drought Relief Provision.

The Drought Relief Provision under MGNREGA Act allows for an increase in guaranteed working days from the standard 100 to 150-200 days in drought-affected areas.

• The committee recommended extending work limit for Scheduled Tribe households living in forest areas from 150 to 200 days under the Forest Rights Act.

The provision of additional 50 days of wage employment (beyond the stipulated 100 days) to Scheduled Tribe Household was mandated by the Ministry of rural development from 2014.

• Revision of wages - The panel expressed concern over wage payments not keeping pace with inflation and stressed to raise wages to at least Rs 400 per day.
• Establish social audit Calendar – More frequent social audits to ensure transparent and proper implementation of the scheme.
• Independent national survey -  To assess its effectiveness and determine whether it needs revamping in light of emerging challenges.
• Compensation for delayed wages – The report noted chronic delays in wage payments and recommended increasing compensation for delayed wages.
• The committee recommended introducing a system for manual verification and corrections to prevent eligible workers from being removed from the program.
  • Approximately 5 million job cards were deleted in 2021-22 due to spelling errors or Aadhaar mismatches.

Reference

Financial Express| Revamp of MGNREGS