Question : Evaluation of MGNREGS

(a) whether any study has been conducted to evaluate the performance of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS) in enhancing the quality of livelihood of rural people and in creating durable assets and if so, the details and the findings thereof ;

(b) whether the Government proposes to increase has increased wage days guaranteed under MGNREGS and if so, the details thereof along with the additional amount allocated/earmarked for the purpose;

(c) whether wages are being paid as per the fixed wage rates to labourers including physically challenged persons/persons belonging to the weaker sections of the society, if so, the details thereof and the number of persons provided employment there under including physically challenged persons during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government has any plan to include more activities such as paddy cultivation, cattle rearing, daily farming, etc. under the Scheme and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a): Yes Madam. Several independent research studies have been conducted on the impact of MGNREGA, which have been compiled and published as “MGNREGA Sameeksha” by the Ministry. The studies indicate that this programme has improved water and soil conservation measures, increased cultivable land by enriching waste lands and has led to improved agricultural productivity. It has also enhanced bargaining powers of rural wage seekers and reduced distress migration from rural areas. Major suggestions/recommendations of these studies, inter alia, are removal of delays in wage payments, improvement in the quality of assets, establishment of strong demand management system, effective participatory grass-root and planning, and improvement in the overall monitoring of schemes, etc.



(b): No, Madam. However, an additional 50 days of wage employment beyond the stipulated 100 days has been permitted for title holders under the Forest Rights Act, provided that these households have no other private property except for the land rights provided under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

(c): Under MGNREGA, wages are paid to the workers, including physically challenged persons/persons belonging to the weaker sections of the society disabled persons, in accordance with the Schedule of Rates as fixed by the State Governments. Output of a MGNREGA worker is measured and payment is made accordingly. State/UT-wise details of the notified wage rate w.e.f. 1st April, 2015 is given at Annexure-I.
The data in respect of the disabled persons provided employment during the last three years and current year are given in the Annexure-II.

(d): The activities such as paddy cultivation, cattle rearing and daily farming cannot be included in the list of permissible activities under MGNREGA since the proposed activities are repetitive in nature and will not lead to creation of assets of prescribed quality and durability.

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