(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure proper implementation of the provision of unemployment allowance as mentioned in Section 7 (1) of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) by the States/UT; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)
(a)&(b): As per Section 7(1) of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA), “If an applicant for employment under the Scheme is not provided such employment within fifteen days of receipt of his application seeking employment or from the date on which the employment has been sought in the case of an advance application, whichever is later, he shall be entitled to a daily unemployment allowance in accordance with this section.”
As per provision of the Act, the unemployment allowance is to be paid by the State Government and State Government may prescribe the procedure for payment of unemployment allowance under this Act. The unemployment allowance payable to the household of an applicant jointly shall be sanctioned and disbursed by the Programme Officer or such local authority (including the Panchayats at the district, intermediate or village level) as the State Government may, by notification, authorise in this behalf”.
Also as per Section 7 (5) of the Act, “Every payment of unemployment allowance under sub-section (1) shall be made or offered not later than fifteen days from the date on which it became due for payment”.
The names of States/UTs who have notified Unemployment Allowance Rules as per the provisions of Mahatma Gandhi NREG Act is given at Annexure.
The Ministry regularly reviews the status of payment of unemployment allowances and framing of the Rules during the Labour Budget meetings, Labour Budget Revision meetings, Mid-Term Review and other review meetings.
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