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The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was passed in the Indian Parliament on 2nd
February 2006 to ensure employment guarantee to people of rural areas. MGNREGA
operated by Ministry of Rural Development is central government’s main program to
stay connected with the life of poor people and which encourage comprehensive
development. Under the law of NREGA, an adult member of every household is
entitled with a job guarantee of at least 100 days in a financial year. This
act is first of its kind in the world under which employment guarantee is given
on an unprecedented basis. This employment is related to physical labour work
and is given to that person who is ready for it. Second objective NREGA is to
create durable assets and strengthen the basis of livelihood of poor rural
people. Another motive of this act is to deal with poverty problems arising due
to cutting of dry forests and soil erosion so employment opportunities arise
persistently.
Preparing MGNREGA and implementing it has
been seen as an important step. Time bound employment guarantee and wage
payment within 15 days are included in unique aspects of NREGA law. Under this
act state governments are encouraged to not oblige in providing employment
because central government itself incurs 90% of the expenditure in providing
employment. Besides, it is also emphasized that contractors and machines have
no role in physical work. 33% women participation is also ensured in NREGA.
MGNREGA was implemented in 200 most
backward districts of the country in its first phase while 130 districts more
were added in the second phase in 2007-08. 295 districts were included in this
employment program during the third phase of NREGA implementation. Earlier it
was called NREGA but later it was modified to MGNREGA. After enacting of NREGA,
asking for employment has become a legal right of the person who is eligible
under this scheme. Despite several efforts and measures, NREGA has failed in
its successful implementation across the country. The main reasons for this are
absence of proper guidelines and information, poor infrastructure and
administration and most importantly the dishonesty. Surveys from CAG have found
serious lapses in functioning and implementation of MGNREGA scheme. The scheme
is mainly operated at the village level through gram panchayats. People ready
to work under MGNREGA are provided with a job card.