Create more women-centric NREGS work, says Parliamentary panel
Recently ‘Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj’ has submitted a report on the action taken on its recommendations regarding Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Accordingly, the Parliamentary Standing Committee has suggested that more women centric jobs should be created under MGNREGA.
Other recommendations of the committee-
- The number of working days under MGNREGA should be increased from 100 to 150
- At present, 50 additional days of work can be provided in the notified rural areas affected by drought/natural calamity.
- Also, state governments can provide additional working days from their own funds.
- The economic power of women should be strengthened by promoting women centric work.
- Although women’s participation in MGNREGA has been more than one-third of the numbers reserved for them, the participation has remained stagnant around 50% for more than the last 5
- The wage increase should be based on the corresponding inflationary index instead of the existing Consumer Price Index-Agriculture Labor (CPI-AL).
- CPI-AL is issued by the Bureau of Labor. There is a different CPI-AL for different States/Union Territories.
- To end wage inequality under MGNREGA, there should be a single integrated wage rate across the country. At present, it ranges from Rs 193 to Rs 318 in different states/UTs.
- There is a need to ensure effective coordination with the states for timely release of funds.
- The unspent amount should be used for better works.
- Timely payment of wages should be made to the poor and marginalized beneficiaries.
MANREGA
- It is a central government-sponsored scheme. Rural Development Department is its implementing agency.
- It is a demand-based wage employment programme. Under this program, every rural household is guaranteed at least 100 days of wage-based employment in a financial year.
- Work is given to adult family members who voluntarily register for unskilled manual work.
Source – The Hindu
