Question : Evaluation of MGNREGS

(a) whether the Government is cognizant of instances of passing off of works approved as the total demand for work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS), if so, the details thereof along with the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government thereon;

(b) whether the Government has taken note of distress faced by rural poor due to the non provision of MGNREGS work during monsoon season, if so, the details thereof and the remedial measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) the percentage of work undertaken under MGNREGS during the last year which has been undertaken as per the recommendations of the Government as jobs for the monsoons;

(d) the details of action taken by the Government to rectify the discrepanciesmentioned above; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to introduce targetted employment generation during lean periods for vulnerable groups under MGNREGS, if so, the details thereof and it not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a): There have been complaints of irregularities in implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). As per the provisions of the Act, all complaints received in the Ministry are forwarded to the concerned State Governments for taking appropriate action including investigation, as per law. Detailed instructions by way of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for dealing with complaints have also been issued to all States/UTs.

(b)to(d): Para 9(1) of the Schedule –I of MGNREGA stipulates that “adequate shelf of works shall be maintained by every Gram Panchayat to meet the expected demand for work in such a way that at least one labour intensive public work with at least one work which is suitable for Particularly Vulnerable Groups especially the aged and the disabled which shall be kept open at all times to provide work as per demand”. Thus, works under MGNREGA are open at all times including monsoon season. The States/ UTs can take up any work out of the works listed in Schedule-1, MGNREGA.

(e): MGNREGA is a demand-driven wage employment programme. Not less than 100 days of employment are provided to registered workers including vulnerable groups upon receipt of their demand. The number of days of employment provided to a household depends on the number of days of employment demanded by the household. MGNREGA provides a supplementary means of livelihood for the rural people, primarily during their lean periods and is not a substitute for all other employment opportunities. Members of the household are free to avail other available employment opportunities in addition to the 100 days of guaranteed wage employment per household provided on demand under the Act.

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