Why MGNREGA norms were tweaked to push spending on water projects, Pg13.

Key Highlights:

• The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) amended MGNREGA's Schedule-I on September 23, 2025, to prioritize water conservation projects.
• A minimum of 65% of MGNREGA funds must be used for water-related works in "over-exploited" and "critical" blocks.
• 40% and 30% of funds are earmarked for "semi-critical" and "safe" blocks, respectively.
• Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil estimates that approximately Rs 25,000 crore will be allocated for water-related projects under MGNREGA.

Detailed Insights:

• The amendment to Schedule-I allows the government to modify the list of permissible public projects without parliamentary approval.
• The decision to amend MGNREGA norms was influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on water conservation.
• Blocks are categorized by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) based on groundwater extraction levels.
• "Over-exploited" blocks, where extraction exceeds recharge, are concentrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
• The overall MGNREGA allocation for the financial year 2025-26 is Rs 86,000 crore.
• These changes aim to address groundwater depletion and promote sustainable water management through MGNREGA.

Key Concepts Involved:

• MGNREGA: Guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households.
• Gram Sabha: A village assembly consisting of all adult residents.
• Schedule-I: Specifies the minimum features and permissible projects under MGNREGA.
• Groundwater Extraction: The process of removing groundwater from the earth.