Fake demand under MGNREGS won’t be entertained: govt., Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The Rural Development Ministry is coordinating with states to prevent "fake demand" under MGNREGS during the transition to the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB – G RAM G) Act, 2025.
• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development met on Monday, led by Saptagiri Ulaka, following the repeal of MGNREGA on December 18.
• Samajwadi Party MP Ramashankar Rajbhar questioned the Ministry on managing demand during the transition period.
• The government stated it is in contact with West Bengal to clear outstanding dues, although specific amounts and timelines were not disclosed.
• The Union government owes ₹3,082.52 crore to States, of which ₹1,457.22 crore was wages for completed work by registered workers.

Detailed Insights:

• The MGNREGA has been replaced by the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB – G RAM G) Act, 2025, which aims to provide enhanced livelihood opportunities in rural areas.
• The ministry aims to ensure genuine demand for work is met during the transition, addressing concerns about potential misuse or artificial inflation of demand under the existing MGNREGS.
• Some BJP members argued that with existing welfare schemes providing free health and food, the necessity of a rural employment scheme like MGNREGA is reduced.
• Funds to West Bengal under MGNREGS were halted in March 2022 due to non-compliance with central directives, under Section 27 of the MGNREGA Act, 2005.
• The government's coordination with states is crucial to maintain rural employment levels and prevent disruption during the shift to the new VB – G RAM G Act.

Key Concepts Involved:

• MGNREGS: Aims to enhance livelihood security of households in rural areas of the country by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
• Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB – G RAM G) Act, 2025: Replaces MGNREGA, with the aim of providing enhanced livelihood opportunities in rural areas.
• Section 27 of the MGNREGA Act, 2005: Empowers the Central Government to stop the release of funds to states in case of non-compliance with its directives.