(a) whether the Government is aware that tribal population of remotely located villages is not getting benefits of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS);
(b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether Government is contemplating to take any initiatives to extend the benefit of the said scheme to the remotely located villages; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)
(a) to (d): MGNREGA is applicable in rural areas only. The Act was launched in 200
districts in the country in its first phase on 02-02-2006. Additional 130 districts were
covered during 2007-08 and all the remaining rural areas of the country have been covered
under the Act with effect from 01-04-2008. Thus, MGNREGA is under implementation in all
rural areas of the country including remotely located villages. As per reports received
from State Governments, participation of beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Tribe was
36% during 2006-07, 29% in 2007-08, 25% in 2008-09 and 22% in 2009-10 so far. To generate
greater awareness among rural households about their rights under MGNREGA, intensive IEC
activities have been undertaken. These include use of print as well as electronic media.
Civil Society Organisations have also been associated in awareness generation programmes.