Question : INNOVATIONS IN MGNREGS

(a) whether it is proposed to bring innovations in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to strengthen its implementation in job guarantee scheme and rural livelihood base of the poor;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether this intervention is proposed to be financed and implemented in collaboration with UNDP;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the details of inbuilt mechanism to control corruption at the village level under this project; and

(f) the action taken/proposed to be taken under this project to address poverty problems especially during drought and natural calamities?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)

(a)&(b): With a view to strengthen the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, a number of innovations have been taken up. Some of the measures taken are Biometric based ICT innovations; wage disbursement through Business Correspondent Model and biometric hand held devices in remote areas not served by Banks/post offices; village level macro planning and linking with skill building activities.

(c)&(d): Some of the above mentioned activities have been undertaken in collaboration with UNDP and the remaining activities have been taken up by the Ministry of Rural Development.

(e): In order to check corruption at the village level in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, Section 17 of the Act provides for regular monitoring of works and regular social audits by the Gram Sabha of all projects taken up at Gram Panchayat level. In addition, ICT based MIS has been made operational by the Ministry to make data available to public scrutiny. The data includes details of Job cards, Muster rolls, Employment demanded and allocated, number of days worked, shelf of works, Funds available/funds spent and funds released to various implementing agencies, Social Audit findings, registering grievances and generating alerts for corrective action.

(f): Instructions have been issued to all States to take steps in order to ensure full enjoyment of rights by the rural households under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA.