Question : COVERAGE UNDER MGNREGS

(a) the number of districts in the country where Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS) is in operation;

(b) the percentage share of employment under MGNREGS in the total rural employment of the country;

(c) whether it is also true that 42 percent of households who demanded jobs under MGNREGS and on whose land work was undertaken have not demanded jobs under the scheme;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the implementation of theMGNREGS adversely affected the agriculture sector;

(f) if so, the details thereof;

(g) whether the MGNREGS has helped in raising the average wage level for unskilled rural labour;

(h) if so, the details thereof; and

(i) the extent to which the MGNREGS has reduced poverty in the country?

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a): All the rural districts across the country have been brought under the ambit of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The number of districts covered at present is 644.

(b): As per National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) Report No.537 on employment and unemployment situation in India 2009-10, the percentage shares of employment under MGNREGS to the total employment of the country is 0.93% and 082% by current weekly activity and current daily activity status, respectively.

(c)&(d): As per MGNREGA Sameeksha, a report published by the Ministry, since inception of the programme, (as per MIS/Monthly Progress Reports), out of the total individual beneficiaries on whose land work has been undertaken, almost 50 per cent have not sought employment under the scheme, following the work on their land.

(e)&(f): There is no evidence to suggest that MGNREGA has an adverse impact on Agriculture sector. MGNREGA has enhanced the employment opportunities in Agriculture and related activities and has not substituted them. NSSO data also reveals that the majority of MGNREGA workers are impoverished small and marginal farmers. Permissible works under MGNREGA have been expanded to include agriculture and its related activities. This will enhance productivity in the agriculture sector.

(g)to (i): Some studies have highlighted MGNREGA`s positive impact in terms of a rise in rural wages and reduction in distress migration from rural areas leading to improved bargaining power in other sectors. The tightening of the labour market post-MGNREGA is a positive indicator from the point of view of poverty alleviation and also signals a pressure for technological advances that raise farm productivity in areas of relative labour shortage.