15 Days Without Work, Applicant Becomes Entitled to Unemployment Benefits

In a move to tackle the uncertainty of employment in rural India, the Developed India Employment and Livelihood Guarantee Mission (Rural), or the G-Ramji Act, has emerged as a strong assurance for families struggling with unemployment. For the first time, the law defines unemployment benefits not just as government aid, but as a clear and enforceable right.

Under the law, when any eligible family member applies for employment under the scheme, it becomes the state government's responsibility to provide work within a specified time. A clear timeline of 15 days has been set in the law. This means that if work is not provided within 15 days from the date of application, the applicant automatically becomes entitled to a daily unemployment allowance.

The state government is obligated to pay this allowance, and there is no room for delay or avoidance. The law has also set a minimum rate for this allowance, leaving no room for arbitrary decisions by the state government. The allowance for the first 30 days of the financial year must be at least one-fourth of the minimum wage in the area. For the remaining period, the allowance must be at least half or more of the minimum wage.

Conditions for Ceasing the Unemployment Benefit

The law also clarifies under what circumstances the state's responsibility to provide unemployment allowance will end. If the village panchayat or the competent authority directs the applicant to report for work or if any adult member of the family is employed, the allowance for that period will not be provided.

Similarly, if the period for which employment was requested ends, or if a family member refuses the proposed work, the unemployment allowance will not be granted.

Limitations on the Unemployment Allowance

The law further specifies that if any adult member of the family has been employed for at least 125 days in a financial year, the family will no longer be eligible to claim the unemployment allowance for that year. Even if the family has received a combined total equivalent to the wages of 125 days (including both wages and unemployment allowance), no additional allowance will be provided.