Question : MGNREGS and Labour Crisis

(a) whether the Union Government is aware about the labour crisis caused due to MGNREG Scheme in the agricultural sector, if so, the details thereof and the steps contemplated thereon;

(b) whether the Government proposes to provide additional assistance to the drought affected States under MGNREG Scheme, if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to include agricultural work under MGNREG Scheme and an increase in the work days under the scheme, if so, the details thereof and the time by which a final decision in this regard is likely to be taken;

(d) whether the Government has allocated Rs. 12,230 crore to the States under MGNREG Scheme recently, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the details of manner in which the said funds are likely to be utilised?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)



(a): Ministry of Rural Development with UNDP has consolidated the available independent research published between 2012-14 in MGNREGA Sameeksha II wherein the analysis shows that, the impact of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA on rural labour markets is complex and context specific. It is not as simplistic as a direct causation. This is because, India is a diverse country, with different states having different features in the rural economy. Further, it states that MGNREGA attempt to stem distress migration from rural to urban areas for the most marginalized and the vulnerable populations.

(b)&(c): The Ministry of Rural development provides 50 days of additional employment in notified areas of drought affected States under MGNREGS.

Accordingly, on recommendation of the Ministry of Agriculture, provision of additional employment of 50 days over and above 100 days per household under MGNREGA has been made in the notified drought affected areas of the following States during FY 2015-16. The details State-wise are as under:


S. No. Name of State/ total number of districts No. of districts/talukas

1 Karnataka 136 taluks

2 Chhattisgarh 93 tehsils

3 Madhya Pradesh 268 tehsils

4 Odisha 215 blocks

5 Andhra Pradesh 359 mandals

6 Uttar Pradesh 50 districts

7 Telangana 231 mandals

8 Maharashtra 12183 GPs

9 Jharkhand All the 24 districts

10 Rajasthan 2900 GPs










Further, by the Notification dated 21st July, 2014, provision has been made that at least 60% of the works to be taken up in a district in terms of cost under MGNREGA shall be for creation of productive assets directly linked to agriculture and allied activities through development of land, water and trees.

(d)&(e): MGNREGA is a demand driven wage employment programme and funds are released to the States /UTs on the basis of agreed to Labour Budget. Hence no allocation is made to the States/UTs. During the current FY 2016-17, Budget Provision is Rs.38500 crore and Vote on Account provision is Rs.19664 crore.

During the current financial year 2016-17, Ministry has released Rs. 15984.09 crore to States/UTs for liquidating the pending liability of wage component of FY 2015-16 and for running the programme during FY 2016-17. State/UT wise release position is attached at Annexure.

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