“Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana”

Context: Govt. likely to rename MGNREGS to‘Pujya BapGramin Rozgar Yojana

Key Proposed Changes

Renaming of the Scheme

• Proposed new name: “Pujya BapGramin Rozgar Yojana”
• Original Act name (2005): National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
• Prefix “Mahatma Gandhi” added in 2009

Increase in Guaranteed Employment

• Current legal guarantee: 100 days of wage employment per household per financial year
• Proposed increase: Up to 125 days

Employment Trends (Important Data)

• Average employment generated (last 5 years): 50.35 days per household
• Government characterisation: MGNREGA acts as a fallback option when no better employment is available.

MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)

Background & Nature

• Enacted in 2005; renamed in 2009.
• World’s largest rights-based employment programme.
• Converts welfare into a legal entitlement.
• Demand-driven → employment provided only on demand, not automatically.

Objectives

• Enhance livelihood security of rural households.
• Create durable assets to strengthen rural infrastructure.
• Promote inclusive growth, especially for SC/STs, women, and marginal farmers.
• Strengthen decentralised planning through Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Guarantee & Time Limits

• 100 days of wage employment per household per financial year.
• Employment must be provided within 15 days of demand.
• Failure → Unemployment allowance payable by the State.
• Worksite must be within 5 km; beyond this, extra wage compensation applies.

Eligibility & Job Cards

• Adult members (18+) of rural households.
• Willing to perform unskilled manual labour.
• Job Card issued by Gram Panchayat:
• Contains household details and employment history.
• Acts as a key transparency tool.

Wages & Payments

• Wages linked to state minimum wages.
• Paid through DBT into bank/post office accounts.
• Delay beyond 15 days → compensation under the Act.
• Equal wages for men and women (no gender discrimination).

Funding Pattern

• Centre
• 100% unskilled labour cost
• 75% material cost
• States
• 25% material cost
• 100% unemployment allowance
• Labour-material ratio: 60 : 40 (mandatory)

Permissible Works (Broad Categories)

• Natural resource management:
• Water conservation, watershed development
• Drought proofing, afforestation
• Agriculture & land-based works:
• Land development for SC/ST, small & marginal farmers
• Infrastructure:
• Rural roads, flood control, irrigation canals
• Convergence allowed with PMAY-G, Jal Jeevan Mission, etc.

Institutional Structure

• Gram Sabha: Identification & prioritisation of works.
• Gram Panchayat: Planning and execution (minimum 50% works).
• Programme Officer: Block level coordination.
• District Programme Coordinator (Collector): Overall implementation.
• State Employment Guarantee Council: Policy guidance.

Transparency & Accountability

• Social Audit:
• Mandatory under the Act.
• Conducted by Gram Sabha at least twice a year.
• MIS (NREGAsoft): End-to-end digital tracking.
• Ombudsman: Independent grievance redressal authority.

Women & Vulnerable Groups

• At least 33% women participation mandated.
• Actual participation often exceeds 50% nationally.
• High participation of SC/ST households.
• Crèche facility mandatory if more than 5 children below 6 years at worksite.

Environmental & Economic Significance

• Strengthens climate resilience in rural areas.
• Enhances groundwater recharge and soil fertility.
• Acts as a counter-cyclical safety net during droughts, floods, and economic distress.