Govt has belatedly realised MGNREGA scheme’s significance (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 3: Economy
Prelims level: MGNREGA
Mains level: Importance of the MGNREGA

Context:

• In the media discussions on the novel coronavirus numbers and testing, on public health mismanagement, on the suffering of migrant workers and on the unplanned lockdown, one issue has missed the headlines.
• The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Programme, better known by the acronym MGNREGA.

Importance of MNREGA:

• MGNREGA is the world’s largest social welfare programme, with about 120 million beneficiaries.
• With unemployment figures at a 45-year high, and with the added economic destruction caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic, MGNREGA numbers are set to rise.
• Migrant workers returning home to their villages are seeking work under MGNREGA.
• Since April 2020, 3.5 million new workers have enrolled under this programme.
• This is greater than the number of new workers in the previous year. It speaks volumes of the gravity of the situation.

Erode the program:

• Before the COVID-19 crisis, the Centre was attempting to weaken and dismantle MGNREGA.
• Further, both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 budgets reduced MGNREGA allocations in comparison to actual expenditure in the previous year.
• From mechanising work that ........................................

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Number hide more than they reveal:

• Take three examples:
• First, in March, the minimum daily wage was enhanced by Rs 20 to reach Rs 202. This is lower than the minimum wage in 31 states and union territories.
• Second, the Centre makes claims of a Rs 2,000 increase in annual household income. This calculation presumes 100 days of work.
• Actually, MGNREGA has generated employment for only 45-50 days in the last few years.
• Third, the finance minister has announced Rs 40,000 crore extra for MGNREGA. However, Rs 11,500 crore of this is payment for previous dues.
• With the remainder, the Centre talks of generating 300 crore, or three billion person-days of work.
• But the April-May 2020 period shows that MGNREGA employment was less than half of what it was during the same period in 2019.
• Such grandstanding is disappointing.
• But the fact is, common citizens in our country are facing a life and death situation.
• In the national interest, the Centre and the states should work together and we in the opposition must offer constructive suggestions.

Way forward:

• On MGNREGA, there is a four-fold path that the Union Government needs to adopt.
• First, it should ensure that each registered worker receives the full 100 days of work. This is critical after the pandemic.
• Second, wages need to be further revised and linked to the rural consumer price index.
• The current MGNREGA .............................

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Conclusion:

• It is ironic that while India celebrated Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary in October 2019, the fate of an employment guarantee programme named after him hung in the balance.
• “Poverty,” Gandhi once said, “is the worst form of violence.”
• As things stand, MGNREGA is a key instrument to prevent violence and suffering in rural India in the aftermath of the novel coronavirus.
• The Centre must take note.

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Prelims Questions:

Q1.  With reference to the World oceans day, consider the following statements:
1. World oceans day is being celebrated on June 8, 2020 under the theme "Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean”.
2. World Oceans Day is uniting conservation action to grow the global movement calling on world leaders to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: .......................

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Mains Questions:
Q1.  Describe the role MGNREGA in and .................................................?