MGNREGA Notes
Shreya Dave
Date: 11th February, 2025
MGNREGA
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
• It is a law passed by the Indian government in 2005 that guarantees the "right to
work" to rural citizens of India.
• Under this, the government assures a minimum of 100 days of unskilled manual
work to an adult member of an eligible rural household.
• The main objective of the MGNREGA is to provide employment to rural citizens and
improve their economic conditions.
• Several organizations and people played key roles in championing the cause of the right
to work, especially the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), renowned
development economist Jean Drèze, and many others.
• MKSS’s initial efforts at organizing workers working on government drought relief
programmes spearheaded the way for sustained activism that led to the creation of
MGNREGA.
Key provisions of MGNREGA
Some of the key features of the MGNREGA Act, 2005 include
• Eligibility Criteria: For receiving the benefits of the MGNREGA Scheme, the
following eligibility criteria are to be met by the applicant:
o Citizen of India
o 18 years of age at the time of application
o Rural Household
o Willing to do unskilled work
• Guaranteed Employment: The MGNREGA program guarantees 100 days of
unskilled employment to all willing rural citizens, at the government-set minimum
wage.
• Unemployment Allowance: If work is not assigned within 15 days, the applicant is
entitled to receive an unemployment allowance. This allowance is 1/4 of the minimum
wage for the first 30 days and a half for the following period.
• Social Audit: A social audit is a powerful tool for social transformation, community
participation, and government accountability. Section 17 of the MGNREGA has
mandated a social audit of all the works executed under the MGNREGA.
• Preference of employment near residence: The work provided is usually within a 5
km radius of the applicant's village, with a travel allowance provided for work beyond
this radius.
• Decentralized planning: Panchayati Raj Institutions take the lead role in planning,
implementing, and monitoring the allocated and executed works. Gram Sabhas are
given the authority to suggest work and are required to carry out at least half of the
work.
• Implementing agencies are responsible for providing proper working conditions,
medical facilities, and compensation.
• Payments are made on a weekly basis and cannot be delayed more than 15 days, with
compensation for delays. Complaints can be made and must be addressed within 7 days.
Significance of MGNREGA
The MGNREGA program aims to provide paid employment opportunities in rural areas.
• Infrastructure: MGNREGA has helped to improve the infrastructure and natural
resource base of the rural poor, which has had a positive impact on the environment.
The program has also helped to improve the accessibility of basic services in rural areas,
such as water, sanitation, and housing.
• Preventing migration to urban areas: The goal is also to decrease migration from
rural areas to urban areas by utilizing the untapped labor in rural areas.
• Livelihood: It seeks to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor and create durable
assets such as wells, ponds, roads, and canals.
• Right-based approach: Unlike previous employment guarantee schemes, the act aims
to combat chronic poverty through a rights-based approach, giving citizens a legal right
to work.
• The program incorporates accountability measures to ensure compliance and
transparency at all levels.
• MGNREGA best practices:
o Jalpaiguri: Towards blue revolution through MGNREGA by offering a diverse
and stable ploy culture system that allows fish farmers to grow vegetables and
raise fish at the same time generating livelihood.
o Paschim Bardhaman: Poultry shed through MGNREGA empowering women
to earn on their own, mobilizing a huge social capital as well as nutrition for
children giving a steady source of income to the family.
o South West Khasi Hills: A group of people from 14 villages through
MGNREGA in South West Khasi Hills District came together to create the
suspension bridge on the Rilang river to carry their products in the markets of
Ranikor.
Challenges and issues pertaining to the implementation of MGNREGA:
Some of the challenges associated with the implementation of MGNREGA include
• Corruption: There have been instances of corruption, particularly in the form of
embezzlement of funds and manipulation of records.
• Limited job opportunities: MGNREGA provides only 100 days of employment per
person per year, which may not be enough to meet the needs of all rural citizens.
• Lack of awareness: Many rural citizens are not aware of their rights under
MGNREGA, and as a result, they do not take advantage of the benefits it offers.
• Bureaucratic delays: The program is often bogged down by bureaucratic delays and
inefficiencies, making it difficult for citizens to access benefits in a timely manner.
• Quality of work: Many critics argue that the quality of work carried out under
MGNREGA is not up to the mark and the work undertaken is not aligned to the local
needs and priorities.
• Limited financial inclusion: Limited financial inclusion in the states such as Bihar is
also a challenge for the proper implementation of MGNREGA regarding the transfer of
wages.
