The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) is a social security measure undertaken by the Government of India, designed to provide job opportunities to the rural populace. The demand for work has peaked, with a maximum number of applications pouring in from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Despite the progressing relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, 96% of gram panchayats have reported applying for work under this initiative. Notably, this year’s figures have surpassed that of the past seven years.
The NREGS: A Lifeline during the Pandemic
Primarily a demand-based system, the NREGS has emerged as a failsafe option for unemployed migrant workers returning to their hometowns due to the pandemic. Over 6.5 crore households, totaling 9.42 crore individuals, have applied for NREGS till November 2020—an all-time record. The scheme has successfully generated over 265.81 crore person days, outstripping last year’s figure of 265.44 crore.
Decrease in Zero Work Panchayats
The data reveals a substantial decline in the number of gram panchayats reporting zero person-days of work. This year, only 3.42% of the 2.68 lakh gram panchayats across India reported nil work, showing considerable improvement from last year’s 3.91%. This positive change can be attributed to the high number of applications received from 96% of gram panchayats nation-wide.
State-wise Breakdown
A closer look at the data highlights that the maximum demand for work came from the states of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Interestingly, Tamil Nadu reported the highest figure of households that made use of NREGS, followed closely by West Bengal. These two states were not covered under the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan scheme.
Record-Breaking Wage Expenditure
The total wage expenditure for the NREGS has reached an unprecedented Rs. 53,522 crore during this period, evidencing the scheme’s widespread implementation.
About the NREGS
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, enacted in September 2005 and operational since February 2006, introduced the NREGS. Broadly, the Act aims to secure livelihoods in rural areas by guaranteeing a hundred days of wage employment per financial year to rural households.
About the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan
Launched in June 2020, this initiative aimed to provide livelihood opportunities to returnee migrant workers and rural citizens who had returned home due to the lockdowns. It functioned in mission mode for 125 days with an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore.
Monitoring of the NREGS
The Ministry of Rural Development, in collaboration with state governments, oversees the implementation of the scheme. The central government is responsible for the cost of unskilled labor and 75% of the material cost, with the remaining expenditure shouldered by the states.
