MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)
(a) to (b): The provisions of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(MGNREGA) are effected as demand driven Schemes by the State Governments. Being
aware of the fact that rainfall has been lower than normal in some parts of the country and
that this may lead to an increased demand for employment under MGNREGA, the Union
Rural Development Ministry has already written to the Chief Ministers of States to prepare a
contingency plan for meeting increased demand for employment under MGNREGA. The
States have been assured that in drought like conditions, the Central Government will be open
to revision in the Labour Budget for the current financial year to meet the increased demand
for employment. The State Governments have also been advised to prepare supplementary
shelf of projects to meet increased demand for work with emphasis on water and soil
conservation works so as to mitigate the impact of deficient rainfall. For this purpose, the
Ministry has allowed funding the State Governments in accordance with the provisions of
Section 22 of MGNREGA for providing up to 50 days of additional employment under
MGNREGA in the financial year 2012-13 to households registered in drought notified
Talukas/Blocks.
(c) to (e) The MGNREGA is a demand driven programme and no earmarking of funds is
made. Provisions of MGNREGA are effected as demand driven schemes, to be prepared and
implemented by the State Governments. So far, no claim towards expenditure on the
additional persondays over and above 100 days have been received from the States, based on
which central share of funds would be provided.
