Parliamentary panel recommends independent survey to assess MGNREGA 

The Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Rural Development has recommended an independent survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the National Employment Guarantee scheme of Mahatma Gandhi (MGNGS) and its deficiencies. | Photo credit: Ma Sriram

The Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Rural Development has recommended an independent survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the National Employment Guarantee scheme of Mahatma Gandhi (MGNGS) and its deficiencies. This survey, the panel said, should focus on the satisfaction of workers, salary delays, participation and financial irregularities within the scheme.

The panel report was presented on April 4, the last day of the recently completed budget session of the Parliament. The panel, headed by the deputy of the Congress Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, has argued that said survey should focus on the necessary policy reforms and must be introduced based on the ideas of the survey.

The panel also said that, despite the declared objective of the scheme to elevate the marginalized communities, the participation of the programmed caste workers and the scheduled tribes, and the workers, remained “inconsistent in all districts.” “A study in the district should be carried out to ensure that thesis communities receive the same employment opportunities and benefits under the scheme, thus fulfilling their planned objective of social and economic inclusion,” said the panel report.

The panel also emphasized the need to renew the scheme, taking into account the “changing times and emerging challenges.” “This committee urges the Ministry to explore the options that could be the number of business days guaranteed under Mngrega at least 150 days from the current 100 days,” said the panel report.

In 2022, the Government appointed a panel headed by the former Secretary of Rural Development Amarjeet Sinha to review the scheme, especially interstate variations. Ha argumentado que MGNREGA se lanzó como un instrumento de alivio de la pobreza para las regiones rurales, proporcionándoles una seguridad de seguridad en forma de trabajo y salarios garantizados, y ha fallado en su propósito, wyiery, incluso en los estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de los Estados de The states of the states of the states of the states of the states of the states of the states of the states of the states of the states of statues. In states in states in states in states in states in states in states in states in states in states in states in states in states in states in states in states in states of the states of Bi states. Compared to economically improved states, including Tamil Nadu. This panel presented its report in 2023, but its suggestions have not yet been implemented.

The parliamentary panel also pointed out that the scheme has been plagued with chronic delays in salary payments, which leads to uncertainty for workers. It has been recruited that the current compensation rate for delayed wages, which is 0.05 % of unpaid wages, must be incessant. The committee strongly exceeded that the timely disbursement of these payments was essential to maintain confidence in the scheme and guarantee the uninterrupted execution of work.