About the scheme

• • The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme is the largest social security scheme in the world — guaranteeing 100 days of work to any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage.
  • The act makes it obligatory for the State to give rural households work on demand. In case such employment is not provided within 15 days of registration, the applicant becomes eligible for an unemployment allowance.
  • The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments.
  • One-third of the stipulated workforce must be women.
  • The employment will be provided within a radius of 5 km: if it is above 5 km extra wage will be paid.
  • The wages are revised according to the Consumer Price Index-Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL).
  • Work site facilities such as crèche, drinking water, shade have to be provided.
  • Social Audit has to be done by the Gram Sabha

Why in News?

• Recently, the Assam government issued 19,000 new job cards under MGNREGA.

Reference:

http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Assam-govt–issues-19%2C000-new-job-cards-under-MGNREGA&id=390427