Question : Allocation for MGNREGS

(a) whether the Government is considering to actively increase rural jobs, if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken in this regard;

(b) if so, the funds allocated and utilised under the scheme along with the details of assets created and number of persons who got employment during the last five years;

(c) whether funds allocated during the current fiscal year under MGNREGS has already been spent, if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(d) whether the Government is considering to allocate additional funds for the MGNREGS and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has directed the States to focus on MGNREGA jobs that ensure sustainable water conservation; and

(f) if so, the details thereof along with the specific allocation towards water conservation related works?

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a)&(b): Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is a demand driven wage employment programme. The Government is actively engaged with the State Government in establishing systems that ensure provision of work as per demand. To generate awareness about the provisions of the Scheme and to provide adequate employment opportunities to rural households under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, all States/UTs have been requested from time to time to (i) initiate appropriate Information Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns including wall paintings for wide dissemination of the provisions of the Act, (ii) expand scope and coverage of demand registration system to ensure that demand for work under MGNREGA does not go unregistered, (iii) prepare plans in a participatory mode and get them approved in the Gram Sabha, and (iv) prepare realistic labour budget.

The details of central fund released, expenditure reported by States/UTs, number of completed works and total individuals worked under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS during the last five years are as under:

S.No. Year Central fund Expenditure reported Total number of Total individuals
released by States including completed works worked
(Rs. in crore) State share (ln lakh)* (in crore)*
(Rs. in crore)*

1 2014-15 32,977.42 35,709.78 29.44 6.22

2 2015-16 37,340.72 44,002.59 36.18 7.22

3 2016-17 48,219.05 58,062.92 65.46 7.66

4 2017-18 55,166.75 63,649.48 62.63 7.59

5 2018-19 61,829.55 69,618.37 89.89 7.77

*Source: www.nrega.nic.in

(c): No, Sir. The central funds of Rs.52,845.74 crore has been released to States/UTs under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA during the current FY 2019-20 (as on 11.11.2019).

(d): Mahatma Gandhi NREGA is a demand driven wage employment programme. The Ministry releases funds to the States based on the agreed to Labour Budget, opening balance, pending liabilities of the previous year for the financial year, if any, and overall performance. Fund release to States/UTs is a continuous process and Central Government is committed to making funds available keeping in view the demand for work.

(e)&(f): As per the Schedule-I of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, water conservation is a permissible activity. The Mahatma Gandhi NREGA is a demand driven wage employment scheme. Hence, no work-wise allocation of funds is made. Mission Water Conservation Guidelines were drawn up in partnership with the then Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and Department of Land Resources to focus on the dark and grey regions where the ground water was falling rapidly. It has been made mandatory for all States/UTs to spend 65% of total MGNREGS expenditure on NRM works identified in 2129 water stressed blocks.As per Management Information System (MIS), an expenditure of Rs.9053.48 crore has been incurred on water conservation and water harvesting works during the current FY 2019-20 (as on 14.11.2019) under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA.