GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 125

ANSWERED ON:22.11.2012

WORK DAYS UNDER MGNREGS

SANJEEV GANESH NAIK 

(a) whether Government proposes to increase guaranteed wage days from 100 to 150 yearly under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the drought affected States;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor, State-wise;

(c) the details of additional fund earmarked and released for the purpose, State-wise;

(d) the estimated number of beneficiaries under the said scheme; and

(e) the time by which the new scheme will be implemented and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:- 

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)

(a) to (b): The provisions of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) are effected as demand driven Schemes by the State Governments. Being aware of the fact that rainfall has been lower than normal in some parts of the country and that this may lead to an increased demand for employment under MGNREGA, the Union Rural Development Ministry has already written to the Chief Ministers of States to prepare a contingency plan for meeting increased demand for employment under MGNREGA. The States have been assured that in drought like conditions, the Central Government will be open to revision in the Labour Budget for the current financial year to meet the increased demand for employment. The State Governments have also been advised to prepare supplementary shelf of projects to meet increased demand for work with emphasis on water and soil conservation works so as to mitigate the impact of deficient rainfall. For this purpose, the Ministry has allowed funding the State Governments in accordance with the provisions of Section 22 of MGNREGA for providing up to 50 days of additional employment under MGNREGA in the financial year 2012-13 to households registered in drought notified Talukas/Blocks.

(c) to (e) The MGNREGA is a demand driven programme and no earmarking of funds is made. Provisions of MGNREGA are effected as demand driven schemes, to be prepared and implemented by the State Governments. So far, no claim towards expenditure on the additional persondays over and above 100 days have been received from the States, based on which central share of funds would be provided.