Question : MGNREGS in Drought Hit Areas

(a) whether the Government has identified drought hit States for providing 50 days extra employment over and above the 100 days assured under the Act/Law, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the average days of wage employment for people under MGNREGS has increased in drought hit districts compared to other districts in their respective States, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the shortage of funds has reportedly affected wage payment in drought hit areas, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by theGovernment in this regard?

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

(a): The provision of additional employment of 50 days over and above 100 days per household under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has been made in the notified drought affected areas of the following States:-

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
















(b): The average days of wage employment for people under MGNREGS has increased in drought hit districts of above States except Maharashtra compared to other districts in their districts in their respective States. The details of household provided employment, total persondays generated, household completed at least 100 days, average days, percentage of household completed 100 days employment and number of household provided employment in respect of notified drought affected districts of States and other districts of the respective State are given in Annexure.

(c): The MGNREGA is a demand driven wage employment programme. Funds for programme implementation including payment of wages are released to the States including drought affected States after verifying the performance, utilisation of funds released, and as per the agreed to Labour Budget.

The Ministry has initiated Electronic Fund Management System (e-FMS) which directly credits the wages into the respective beneficiary’s accounts using the core banking system. States have been advised to universalise the operationalisation of electronic Fund Management System to ensure smooth flow of funds from the State to the wage seekers and to eliminate delays in payment of wages.


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