Jun 26 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
60% of NREGA work must be agricultural
Subodh Ghildiyal
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New Delhi:
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The Centre is likely to make it mandatory that 60% of work in a district under the job guarantee scheme, MGNREGA, should be linked to agriculture.The rural development ministry will incorporate the mandatory clause in Schedule-1 of the MGNREGA so that every state has to follow the norms designed to give a fillip to agriculture through labour-intensive work under the job scheme.
Rural development secretary LC Goyal said, “The proposal has been sent to the states for comments. It would be decided soon.” The move would inextricably bind MGNREGA with farm activities, thereby focusing the creation of assets in the farm sector. According to the plan, a minimum of 60% of work in a district should be “in the nature of productive assets linked to agriculture through the development of land, water and trees”.
The fine-print suggests that if it is implemented, it could push overwhelming activity under the job scheme towards agriculture. The 60% floor limit is “in terms of costs”.
Given that many works permitted under MGNRE
GA, like road construction, are capital-intensive because of the material costs, the stress on 60% minimum expenditure on farm-related activity would compel the authorities to discourage other work. According to estimates, construction of roads forms 37% of works done under MGNREGA, with Rs 8-10 lakh spent on every km of road.The refocusing of the job scheme towards farming marks a new chapter in the chequered history of the pro-poor scheme that was brought in by UPA to provide distress labour to the poor.
Over last seven years, the scheme was found to be riddled with corruption and inefficiency while also failing to creating durable assets.
The BJP was widely perceived to be in favour of disbanding the scheme. But after coming to power, it seems to have steered clear of any drastic action, possibly because of the negative message it would send to the vast section of the rural populace. Instead, redirecting the scheme towards boosting the farming activity seems to be an acceptable improvisation.
“The shift would lead to better community assets and also provide employment to the needy,” Goyal said.
Rural development secretary LC Goyal said, “The proposal has been sent to the states for comments. It would be decided soon.” The move would inextricably bind MGNREGA with farm activities, thereby focusing the creation of assets in the farm sector. According to the plan, a minimum of 60% of work in a district should be “in the nature of productive assets linked to agriculture through the development of land, water and trees”.
The fine-print suggests that if it is implemented, it could push overwhelming activity under the job scheme towards agriculture. The 60% floor limit is “in terms of costs”.
Given that many works permitted under MGNRE
GA, like road construction, are capital-intensive because of the material costs, the stress on 60% minimum expenditure on farm-related activity would compel the authorities to discourage other work. According to estimates, construction of roads forms 37% of works done under MGNREGA, with Rs 8-10 lakh spent on every km of road.The refocusing of the job scheme towards farming marks a new chapter in the chequered history of the pro-poor scheme that was brought in by UPA to provide distress labour to the poor.
Over last seven years, the scheme was found to be riddled with corruption and inefficiency while also failing to creating durable assets.
The BJP was widely perceived to be in favour of disbanding the scheme. But after coming to power, it seems to have steered clear of any drastic action, possibly because of the negative message it would send to the vast section of the rural populace. Instead, redirecting the scheme towards boosting the farming activity seems to be an acceptable improvisation.
“The shift would lead to better community assets and also provide employment to the needy,” Goyal said.
