(a) Whether Central Employment Guarantee Council (CEGC) has opposed the minimum wages given under Mahatma
Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the construction of Panchayat Bhawans in
the name of Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(c) the manner in which policy decision are taken under MGNREGS and the role of Central Employment Guarantee
Council therein?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRADEEP JAIN ‘ADITYA’)
(a) & (b): No, Sir. Members of the Central Employment Guarantee Council had sought certain clarifications
on the issue of construction of Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendra as village resource centre and Gram
panchayat Bhawan at Gram Panchayat level and these were provided to the members.
(c): Under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, policy decisions are taken by the Central Government. In accordance
with Section 27 of the Act, Central Government has been vested with powers to give directions to the
State Governments for effective implementation of the Act. Section 29 of the Act empowers the Central
Government to amend Schedule-I & II of the Act by way of issue of notifications, if it is satisfied
that it is necessary and expedient to do so. Copies of the notifications are laid on the Table of the
House. The Central Council has been assigned the following functions and duties as stipulated in Section
11(1) of the Act:
(i) establish a central evaluation and monitoring system;
(ii) advise the Central Government on all matters concerning the implementation of the Act;
(iii) review the monitoring and redressal mechanism from time to time and recommend improvements required;
(iv) promote the widest possible dissemination of information about the Schemes made under the Act;
(v) monitoring the implementation of the Act;
(vi) preparation of Annual reports to be laid before parliament by the Central Government
on the implementation of the Act;
(vii) any other duty or functions as may be assigned to it by the Central Government.