Question : UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE UNDER MGNREGS

(a) whether unemployment allowances rules under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have not been notified in some States;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise;

(c) the number of workers who have not been provided unemployment allowance as per their entitlement indicating the reasons therefor;

(d) whether some States have not provided 100 days job to registered workers during the last three years; and

(e) if so, the details thereof indicating the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) & (b) So far, 16 States/UTs have notified the unemployment allowance rules and 8 States have initiated action to notify the unemployment allowance rules. State/UT-wise details are indicated in the Annexure-I. The State Governments have been instructed to notify the unemployment allowance rules.

(c) Details of unemployment allowance with reference to payable days for the financial year 2013-14 are indicated in theAnnexure-II.As per Section 7 of MGNREG Act, the states/UTs have to pay unemployment allowance if work is not provided within 15 days from the date from which work is demanded, after conducting due enquiry as per the Rules which are to be notified by the States. The Central Government has instructed the States for effective implementation of this provision of the Act.

(d) & (e) The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a demand-driven wage employment programme. Not less than 100 days of employment are required to be provided to registered workers upon receipt of their demand. State/UT-wise details of households provided employment as demanded by job card holders and households completed 100 days of employment during the last three years are indicated in the Annexure-III.