Question : EMPLOYMENT UNDER MGNREGS

(a) whether less rainfall has been predicted in some parts of the country;

(b) if so, whether the Union Government has requested the State Governments to frame contingency plan under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to meet any shortage in employment creation in case of less rainfall;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Union Government has decided to implement the action plans on water management under the MGNREGS by building/repairing water bodies, water harvesting structures, etc. and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Union Government will provide additional funds to States to carry out their contingency plan; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a)to(c) The Ministry of Rural Development has advised to States/UTs to take up a large number of labour intensive works under MGNREGA keeping in view the anticipated drought like situation due to less than normal rainfall.

(d) The permissible MGNREGA works which have drought mitigation capabilities are (i) renovation of traditional water bodies including desilting of irrigation tanks and ponds (ii) micro and minor irrigation works and creation, renovation and maintenance of irrigation canals and drains (iii) water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment and improve ground water situation like underground dykes, earthern dams, stop dams, check dams, etc. and (iv) drought proofing works such as avenue plantation, development of barren/fallow lands, nursery raising, etc. The States have been instructed to implement these works to mitigate the effects of drought/ drought like situations.

(e)&(f) MGNREGA is a demand-driven wage employment programme and funds are released on the basis of demand projected by the States/ UTs.