Ministry of Rural Development
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, is a landmark legislation in India that aims to enhance the livelihood security of households in rural areas by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. This Act is a significant step towards ensuring rural employment and providing a safety net for vulnerable populations. It covers a wide range of provisions, including the creation of employment guarantee schemes, payment of wages and unemployment allowances, and the establishment of implementing and monitoring authorities. The Act is a cornerstone of India’s social welfare programs.
Act Background and Ministry:
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, was enacted by the Parliament of India. It was designed to provide a legal framework for the implementation of a national rural employment guarantee scheme. The Act falls under the purview of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.
Enactment Date, Number of Chapters, Number of Sections:
The Act was enacted on September 5, 2005. It is structured into 34 sections, divided into 6 chapters, along with two schedules.
Act Governed By:
The Act is primarily governed by the Central Government and State Governments. The implementation of the Act involves various authorities at the central, state, district, block, and village levels. These include the Central Employment Guarantee Council, State Employment Guarantee Councils, District Programme Coordinators, Programme Officers, and Gram Panchayats.
On Whom it is Applicable:
The MGNREGA Act, 2005, is applicable to all rural areas in India, except those areas covered by any urban local body or a Cantonment Board. It applies to all households whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. The Act is designed to benefit vulnerable groups, including women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other disadvantaged communities.
Penalties/Punishments:
The Act specifies penalties for non-compliance, which include:
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Fines: Individuals or entities that contravene the provisions of the Act may be liable to a fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.
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Unemployment Allowance: If employment is not provided within fifteen days of an application, the applicant is entitled to an unemployment allowance.
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Delayed Wage Payment Compensation: If wages are not paid within fifteen days of the closure of the muster roll, the wage seekers are entitled to compensation for the delay.
Important Pointers:
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Guaranteed Employment: The Act guarantees at least one hundred days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
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Employment Guarantee Schemes: State Governments are required to formulate schemes for providing guaranteed employment.
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Wage Rate: The Central Government specifies the wage rate for the purposes of the Act, which shall not be less than sixty rupees per day.
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Unemployment Allowance: If employment is not provided within fifteen days, applicants are entitled to unemployment allowance, which is at least one-fourth of the wage rate for the first thirty days and at least one-half of the wage rate for the remaining period of the financial year.
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Implementing Authorities: The Act outlines the roles and responsibilities of various implementing and monitoring authorities, including the Central Employment Guarantee Council, State Employment Guarantee Councils, District Programme Coordinators, Programme Officers, and Gram Panchayats.
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Transparency and Accountability: The Act emphasizes transparency and accountability in the implementation of the scheme, including the maintenance of records, social audits, and grievance redressal mechanisms.
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Focus on Public Works: The Act focuses on public works related to natural resources management, community assets, and rural infrastructure.
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Job Cards: Job cards are issued to registered households, which serve as a record of their employment and entitlements under the Act.
Act Copy: