Lok Sabha Question No. 324 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Evaluation of MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH, KALIKESH NARAYAN SINGH DEO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 324

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.0 2.201 6

## EVALUATION OF MGNREGS

## 324. DR. PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH: SHRI KALIKESH N. SINGH DEO:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is cognizant of instances of passing off of works approved as the total demand for work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS),  if  so,  the  details  thereof along  with  the  corrective  steps  taken/be taken by the Government thereon;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken note  of  distress  faced  by  rural  poor  due  to the  non provision  of  MGNREGS  work during  monsoon  season,  if  so,  the  details thereof  and  the remedial measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) the  percentage  of  work  undertaken under  MGNREGS  during  the  last  year which  has  been undertaken as per the recommendations of the Government as jobs for the monsoons;
- (d) thedetails of action taken by the Government to rectify the discrepancies mentioned above; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to introduce targetted employment generation during lean periods  for  vulnerable groups  under  MGNREGS,  if  so,  the  details thereof  and  it  not,  the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a): There have been complaints of irregularities in implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act ( MGNREGA) . As per the provisions of the Act, all compla received in the Ministry are forwarded to the concerned S tate Governments for taking appropriat action  including  investigation,  as  per  law.  Detailed  instructions  by  way  of  Standa Proc edure (SOP) for dealing with complaints have also been issued to all States/UTs.

(b)to(d): Para 9(1) of the Schedule -I of MGNREGA stipulates that 'a dequate shelf of works shall be maintained by every Gram Panchayat to meet the expected demand for work in such a way that at least one labour intensive public work with at least one work which is suitable Vulnerable  Groups  especially  the  aged  and  the  disabled  which  shall  be  kept  open  at provide  work  as  per  demand'.  Thus,  works  und er  MGNREGA  are  open  at  all  times  including monsoon  season. The  States/  UTs  can  take  up  any  work  out  of  the  works  listed  in  Sch - 1, MGNREGA.

(e): MGNREGA is a demand - driven  wage  employment  programme.  Not  less  than  100  days employment  are  provided  to registered  workers  including  vulnerable  groups  upon  receipt  o demand. The number of days of employment provided to a household depends on the number of  employment  demanded  by  the  household.  MGNREGA  provides  a  supplementary  means  o liveliho od for the rural people, primarily during their lean periods and is not a substi employment opportunities. Members of the household are free to avail other available opportunities in addition to the 100 days of guaranteed wage employment per household provided on demand under the Act.

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