Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) Flashcards
Q. What are some quick facts about MGNREGS, 2005 ?
Ans : 1. Type : Centrally sponsored scheme ( Ministry of Rural development)
2. Purpose : Making supplementary livelihood in rural areas, through unskilled manual work, a legal right.
3. Beneficiaries : All household members aged more than 18 years and residing in rural areas. (Done through door to door survey).
4. Implementation: Prioritisation of work and social audit has to be done by the gram sabha .
Q. What are some key issues with MGNREGS ?
Ans : 1. Inadequate allocation and payment delays : 34% less budgetary allocations in 2021-22 (compared to 2020-21) .
2. Institutional issues : poor capabilities of PRIs, blurred accountability, non-appointment of Ombudsperson.
3. Systemic issues : Issues with wage anchor (CPI-AL), fabrication of job cards and associated corruption, digital divide.
4. Issues specific to women : non-availability of childcare facilities and other basic amenities, low awareness about the process and entitlements under the scheme.
Q. What are some recent reforms undertaken by the government?
Ans : 1. Digitisation : digital attendance through NMMS app, GIS- based planning (yuktdhara portal), SECURE ( for estimating, preparing and approving MGNREGA works) and other efforts like DBT, Management Information System (MIS) and ombudsman app.
2. Convergence with other schemes : MGNREGS and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
3. Social audit : in association with the CAG.
4. Constitution of Amarjeet Sinha Committee to recommend structural and other reforms.
5. Other initiatives like UNNATI ( to upgrade the skill base of MGNREGA workers) and increase in the no. Of days of guaranteed work.
Q. What are some recommendations/ way forward for MGNREGS ?
Ans : 1. Revision of wage anchor : CPI-rural as recommended by Mahendra dev committee.
2. Capacity building : Strengthen the administrative and technical capabilities of the PRIs, handholding of Gram Sabhas by CAG and effective information, education and communication (IEC) policy .
3. Women empowerment: Govt should issue modalities and guidelines .
4. Governance reforms : management support system at national and state levels, impact assessment of the reforms like geo-tagging,digital attendance etc.
