Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana: MGNREGA Renamed and Expanded
On December 12, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) and increase the number of workdays. The new name will be "Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana," and the number of guaranteed workdays will be increased from 100 to 125.
Current Status of MGNREGA
Currently, MGNREGA guarantees at least 100 days of employment to eligible rural families each year. Launched in 2005, the scheme aims to provide livelihood security to rural families by ensuring the right to work. Over the years, MGNREGA has faced challenges, and the government is now considering restructuring it for better effectiveness.
Challenges Faced by MGNREGA
Despite the legal right to 100 days of employment, only about 7% of families receive the full 100 days. The scheme has faced several issues, including delays in wage payments due to banking errors and administrative delays. There have been instances of fraudulent job cards, and the digital attendance system has experienced technical errors, leading to irregularities.
Additionally, in many regions, the works undertaken under MGNREGA do not align with local needs. Budget shortages, weak auditing, and poor local monitoring have further exacerbated the challenges. As a result, the government is exploring ways to restructure the program to make it more transparent and efficient.
Recent Financial Reforms and Future Focus
Recent reforms in the financial structure of MGNREGA include setting a target to construct 1 crore new water conservation structures nationwide next year. This initiative will be implemented through public participation and using the funds available under MGNREGA. In water-scarce districts, a significant portion of MGNREGA funds will be dedicated to water conservation projects.
Allocation for Water Conservation
The government has mandated that 65% of the MGNREGA funds in water-scarce dark zone districts, 40% in yellow zone districts, and 30% in general districts will be exclusively used for the construction of water conservation structures.