(Online Course) Contemporary Issues for IAS Mains 2012: Govt. Plans Programmes & Policies - Rural Employment

Initiatives Taken in Rural Areas (Rural Employment)

Question: Rural Employment.

A. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural

Employment Guarantee Scheme In 2011-12, the scheme provided employment to more than 4.4 crore households. More than 161 crore person-days of employment have been generated at a total expenditure of more than Rs. 27,000 crore. The average wage rate per day has increased from Rs. 65 in 2006-07 to Rs. 116 in 20011-12.

For protecting the workers against inflation, the wage rates notified under the scheme have been indexed to the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labour with effect from 1st January, 2011. The wage rates have been revised again with effect from 1st April, 2012. For promoting greater transparency, including Social Audit, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Audit of Schemes Rules, 2011 have been notified. More than 5 crore accounts have so far been opened in over 97,000 post offices in our villages through the scheme.

B. National Rural Livelihood Mission

An ambitious poverty alleviation programme, namely, the National Rural Livelihood Mission called Aajeevika has been launched with special focus on the poorest households. The mission aims at enabling the poor household to access gainful selfemployment and skilled wage employment opportunities resulting in appreciable improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis. In 2011-12, more than 15.65 lakh Swarozgaris were assisted.

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