Question : REVIEW OF MGNREGS .

(a) whether the Government has recently reviewed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGS), if so, the outcome thereof;

(b) whether any deficiency in the MGNREGS has been found, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government for effective implementation of MGNREGS;

(c) whether the Government has authorised any agency to oversee the working and review of MGNREGS in the States, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has decided to reduce the budget allocation under MGNREGS, if so, the state-wise details thereof indicating reasons therefor; and steps taken to ensure sufficient budget for the scheme;

(e) the details of the funds allocated and expenditure incurred under MGNREGS during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(f) whether the Government proposes to increase the budget allocation for the current/pending rural development schemes for the effective and speedy implementation of the scheme and if so, the details thereof; (g) whether the Government has conducted any study with regard to migration of rural people of various States and the effects of MGNREGS and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana on them, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to check migration of rural population; and (h) the steps taken by the Government to improve the performance under this Scheme in various States and to introduce quality parameters for all works undertaken under MGNREGS?

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

(a)& (b): The Ministry reviews the performance of MGNREGA in all States on quarterly basis in the Performance Review Committee meetings. State specific reviews are also undertaken from time to time. Members of the Central Employment Guarantee Council, National Level Monitors and Eminent Citizens also visit various districts to oversee the performance of MGNREGA.

During these reviews, the implementation aspects that need strengthening are identified viz., prompt payment of wages, improvement in the quality of assets, establishment of strong demand management system, effective participatory grass-root level planning, and improvement in the overall monitoring of schemes. The major steps taken by the Government to improve the programme implementation under MGNREGA are given in Annexure-I.

(c): No, Madam.

(d) to (f): No Madam. The allocation during the current year 2014-15 has in fact, been enhanced to Rs.34,000 crore (as against Rs.33,000 crore in 2013-14). The State/UT-wise details of central release and expenditure under MGNREGA during the last three years and the current year are at Annexure-II. The funds for programme implementation are provided by the Central and State Governments after assessing the utilization of the available funds.

(g) Yes, Madam. Various independent studies done by reputed academic institutions and studies by National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) survey have proved the positive impact of the MGNREGA in substantially reducing the distress migration from rural areas.

Further, a socio-economic impact assessment and user satisfaction of Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was carried out through M/s LEA Associates South Asia Pvt. Ltd. has brought out that permanent migration has decreased more intensely in habitations with connectivity in initial years.

(h): The major steps taken by the Government to improve the programme implementation under MGNREGA are given in Annexure-I.