Question : Workers Engaged under MGNREGS

(a) whether the number of workers engaged under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has increased during the last three years and the current year;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) whether job card holders under MGNREGS are being provided with unemployment allowance and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government has any master plan/scheme to enlarge the ambit of MGNREGS in future so that the unemployed persons may get guaranteed job opportunity in a year; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The number of workers provided employment under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has increased during the last three years and the current year (as on 29.12.2017) is given at Annexure-I.

(c): Yes, Madam. As per provision of the Act, the unemployment allowance is to be paid by the States/UTs. As per information made available in NREGASoft (MIS), the details of payment of unemployment allowance during the last three years and current year are given as under:

S No. Years Unemployment allowance paid
(Rs. in lakh)

1. 2014-15 0.92

2. 2015-16 0.48

3. 2016-17 1.51

4. 2017-18 (as on 22.12.2017) 0.97

(d) & (e): Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is a demand driven wage employment programme of Ministry of Rural Development. MGNREGS provides livelihood security i.e., fall back option for livelihood for the rural households when no better employment opportunity is available. The Act guarantees 100 days of wage employment to any willing rural household in a financial year. An additional 50 days are provided over and above 100 days in the notified drought affected areas. The members of the rural households are free to avail wage opportunity under MGNREGS or any other available employment opportunity.

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