Question

What are the salient features of the MNREGA scheme?

Answer 1

1. Adult members of a rural household who are willing to perform unskilled manual work may apply for registration, in writing or orally, to the local Gram Panchayat.
2. The Gram Panchayat, after due verification, will issue a Job Card. The Job Card will bear the photograph of all adult members of the household willing to work under MGNREGA. This will be done free of cost.
3. The Job Card should be issued within 15 days of application.
4. A Job Cardholder may submit a written application for employment to the Gram Panchayat, stating the time and duration for which work is sought. The minimum number of days of employment is 14.
5. The Gram Panchayat will issue a dated receipt for the written application for employment, against which the guarantee to provide employment within 15 days operates.
6. Employment will be provided within 15 days of the application for work; if it is not, a daily unemployment allowance, as per the Act, must be paid. Liability for the payment of unemployment allowance is with the state government.
7. Work should ordinarily be provided within a 5 km radius of the village. If the work is performed beyond 5 km, an extra wage of 103 is payable to cover additional transportation and living expenses.
8. Wages are to be paid according to the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, for agricultural labourers in the state unless the Centre notifies a wage rate that will not be less than ₹ 60 per day. Equal wages will be provided to both men and women.
9. Wages are to be paid according to the piece rate or daily rate. Disbursement of wages must be made weekly, not beyond a fortnight in any case.
10. At least one-third of beneficiaries shall be women who have registered and requested work under the scheme.
11. Work site facilities such as a creche, drinking water, and shade must be provided.
12. The shelf of projects for a village will be recommended by the Gram Sabha and approved by the Zila Panchayat.
13. At least 50 per cent of the works will be allotted to Gram Panchayats for execution.
14. Permissible works predominantly include water and soil conservation, afforestation, and land development.
15. A 60:40 wage-and-material ratio must be maintained. No contractors or machinery are allowed.
16. The Central Government bears 100 per cent of the wage cost of unskilled manual labour and 75 per cent of the material cost, including the wages of skilled and semi-skilled workers.
17. A social audit has to be done by the Gram Sabha.
18. Grievance redressal mechanisms have to be put in place to ensure a responsive implementation process.
19. All accounts and records relating to the scheme should be available for public scrutiny.