(a) whether the Government is planning to increase the number of working days under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS) in Gujarat and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the State Government of Gujarat has sent any proposal requesting the Union Government in this regard, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which decision in this regard is likely to be taken?
MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)
(a): No, Sir. The mandate of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA), 2005 is to provide at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult member volunteers to do unskilled manual work. However, an additional 50 days of wage employment is provided over and above 100 days in the notified drought affected areas or natural calamity areas in the country on recommendation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
(b) & (c): Yes, Sir. State Government of Gujarat had requested in January, 2019 to provide 50 additional persondays over and above 150 days in all blocks of Kachchh district. During the FY 2018-19, on the request of the State Government of Gujarat and on the recommendation the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the Ministry provided additional 50 days of employment in 11 districts with 51 block for drought/natural calamity affected areas of Gujarat (including Kuchchh District) under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS.