<<–2/”>a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/5653-2/”>p>NREGA and MGNREGA, along with their various facets.
Introduction
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), launched in 2005, was a landmark initiative aimed at providing guaranteed employment and livelihood security to rural households in India. In 2009, it was renamed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. While the core objective remained the same, MGNREGA introduced some key modifications and enhancements.
Key Differences Between NREGA and MGNREGA (Table Format)
| Feature | NREGA (2005) | MGNREGA (2009) |
|---|---|---|
| Name | National Rural Employment Guarantee Act | Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act |
| Entitlement | 100 days of guaranteed wage employment per household in a financial year | Same as NREGA |
| Focus | Primarily on wage employment | Stronger emphasis on community asset creation, water conservation, and environmental sustainability |
| Social Audit | Not mandatory | Introduced as a mandatory mechanism for Transparency and Accountability |
| Grievance Redressal | Limited provisions | Strengthened grievance redressal mechanism |
| Convergence with Other Schemes | Limited scope | Increased focus on convergence with other rural development schemes |
| Women‘s Participation | Encouraged | Specific provisions for ensuring at least one-third participation of women |
| Wage Payment | Through banks or post offices | Preference for Aadhaar-based payments for greater transparency |
Advantages of NREGA/MGNREGA
- Livelihood Security: Provides a safety net for rural households during lean periods.
- Rural Asset Creation: Contributes to the development of rural Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE.
- Empowerment of Women: Promotes women’s participation in the workforce.
- Financial Inclusion: Encourages the opening of bank accounts in rural areas.
- Drought-proofing: Helps mitigate the impact of droughts through employment generation.
- Social Safety Net: Acts as a crucial social safety net during economic downturns.
Disadvantages of NREGA/MGNREGA
- Implementation Challenges: Issues with delays in wage payments, Corruption, and lack of awareness.
- Quality of Assets: Concerns about the quality and sustainability of assets created.
- Limited Skill development: Focus primarily on unskilled manual labor.
- Fiscal Burden: Financial implications for the government.
Similarities Between NREGA and MGNREGA
- Legal Entitlement: Both provide a legal guarantee of 100 days of employment.
- Target Group: Both target rural households willing to do unskilled manual labor.
- Wage Rates: Both follow a fixed schedule of minimum wages.
- Decentralized Implementation: Both are implemented through local bodies (Panchayats).
FAQs on NREGA and MGNREGA
- Who is eligible for NREGA/MGNREGA? Any adult member of a rural household willing to do unskilled manual work.
- How do I apply for work under NREGA/MGNREGA? You can register at your local Gram Panchayat.
- What kind of work is available under NREGA/MGNREGA? Work related to water conservation, land development, rural connectivity, etc.
- What is the wage rate under NREGA/MGNREGA? The wage rate varies from state to state and is revised periodically. You can check the current rates at your local Panchayat.
- How are wages paid under NREGA/MGNREGA? Wages are usually paid directly into the beneficiary’s bank account.
Let me know if you’d like me to elaborate on any specific aspect in more detail.