Lok Sabha Question No. 240 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: Demand for Jobs under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Thirumaa Valavan Thol

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 240 ANSWERED ON 19/12/2023

## DEMAND FOR JOBS UNDER MGNREGS

## *240. SHRI THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOL:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the reasons behind the dipping demand for jobs under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) between May till August this year;
- (b) the details of the steps taken by the Ministry to incorporate more agricultural jobs under the Scheme to boost demand;
- (c) whether the Ministry monitors the job demand by households and individuals under MGNREGS; and
- (d) if so, the details of the same from April to June of the year 2021-22?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

- (a) to (d):       A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement in reply to Parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 240 for 19.12.2023.

- (a):    Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS)  is  a  demand  driven  wage  employment Scheme.

As per NREGASoft, a total of 142.98 crore persondays have been generated  during  the  month  of  May,  2023  to  August,  2023,  which  is more than 125.76 crore persondays generated during the same period of the previous financial year.

(b):    There are 266 permissible works under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS out of which 150 works are related to Agriculture & Allied Activities, which in-turn supports  the farmers who are eligible for benefit of the scheme. As  per para  4(3)  of  Schedule-I  of  Mahatma  Gandhi  National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, "works which are non-tangible, not measurable, repetitive  such  as,  removing  grass,  pebbles,  agricultural operations, shall not be taken up".

(c)&(d): Mahatma Gandhi NREGS is a demand driven wage employment scheme. This Ministry regularly reviews the performance of  the  implementation  of  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS  in  States/UTs through various fora  viz.,  Mid-Term  Review,  Labour  Budget  meetings, Labour Budget Revision meetings, Programme  Review meetings. Central Employment Guarantee Council and State Employment Guarantee Councils periodically monitor implementation of the programme. State Technical Cell are constituted at various level in the States to regularly monitor the progress of works.

Out of total demand of wage employment, more than 99.82% households are getting offer of employment. In case employment is not provided as per the provision of the Act, the households is entitled for unemployment allowances according to the Act.

As  per  NREGASoft,  Details  of  households  availed  employment under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS during the month of April, May and June in the financial year 2021-22 is as under:

| Period                                          | During the month of During the month of During the month of   | During the month of During the month of During the month of   | During the month of During the month of During the month of   |
|-------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                 | April, 2021                                                   | May, 2021                                                     | June, 2021                                                    |
| Households availed employment (Figure in crore) | 2.13                                                          | 2.22                                                          | 2.93                                                          |

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