Login With Google
MGNREGA’s annual work limit
News:
- According to the MGNREGA's database, at least 1.4 lakh poor rural households have completed their quota of 100 days of work under MGNREGA.
- Those who completed 100 days will not be eligible for further benefits under the scheme for the rest of the year.
- Another seven lakh households have completed 80 days and are on the verge of running out of work.
Background:
- The COVID-19 and the lockdown resulting in thousands of unemployed migrant workers returning to their villages.
- These migrant workers are now dependent on MGNREGA wages.
- Activists are urging the government to increase the limit to at least 200 days per household, given that COVID-19 was declared a national disaster.
- MGNREGA scheme contains a provision for districts affected by drought or other natural disasters to request an expansion of the scheme to allow for 150 days of work.
More about MGNREGA 2005:
- The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), guarantees 100 days of unskilled manual work to all rural households in India.
- Aim: To enhance the livelihood security of people in rural areas.
- A household has to apply for a MGNREGA job card from their Gram Panchayat (elected village council).
- Under the Act every Gram Panchayat (village council) should have an annual MGNREGA plan.
- The types of unskilled work which households are eligible to undertake under the MGNREGA could include constructing roads, dams, wells, plantations or developing land.