NREGA Act 2005: NREGA stands for National Rural Employment Guarantee Act of 2005, also known as MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act). The act was passed by the Parliament of India in September 2005 and came into force in February 2006. The NREGA Act is made to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
The main objective of this NREGA scheme was to provide employment and improve the lifestyle, health, and security of people living in rural areas who don’t have any kind of job opportunities. In this article, we will provide all crucial information regarding the NREGA 2005 Act along with Job Card list (NREGA State-wise), Eligibility, benefits, reports and more. For more Query you can also visit @nrega.nic.in.
NREGA Act 2005 | Job Card List | Benefits
Table of Content
Benefits of NREGA Act 2005
Implementing NREGA, one of the government’s main development programs, has several advantages, especially in rural India’s undeveloped areas. The following are the main advantages of NREGA 2005:
- A guaranteed job of 100 days for every financial year within 15 days of applying for work or an unemployment allowance in case of failure to provide work.
- A minimum wage is fixed by the respective state government and is paid on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
- A worksite within 5 km of their residence or a transport and living allowance in case of a worksite beyond 5 km.
- Basic facilities at the worksite such as drinking water, shade, first aid, and crèche for children.
- Social security benefits such as insurance, maternity benefits, and pension.
Main Objectives of NREGA Act 2005
The following main goals were considered when designing NREGA Act in 2005, which has been praised as the largest and most ambitious social initiative in the history of mankind:
- To provide a minimum of 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work.
- It aims to reduce poverty by providing minimum job opportunities to most rural households
- In this scheme of employment, at least one-third of the beneficiaries must be women. In this way, it will empower Indian women socially and politically by providing them income.
- NREGA prioritizes marginalized and disadvantaged sections of society, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women, in the allocation of employment opportunities. It decreases the amount of social and economic differences and promotes equality
- NREGA ensures timely payment of wages to workers. Wages are typically paid within 15 days of the completion of the work, and if there is a delay, workers are entitled to compensation.
- The Act provides projects related to natural resource management, such as soil and water conservation, afforestation, and other eco-friendly activities. In this way, this act also promotes Environmental Sustainability.
How to Apply for an NREGA Job Card?
You can obtain an application for an NREGA Job Card from your neighborhood Gramme Panchayat, or you can just use plain paper. Due to the poor internet penetration in rural India, the MGNREGA job card application process is currently entirely offline.
On the other hand, people do have the option to download the NREGA Job Card Application Form for free from the NREGA Official Website. Within 15 days following the submission of the necessary documents, the applicant(s) will receive an NREGA job card.
How to Check My Name in NREGA Job Card List(2023)
If you want to check your Name in Nrega Job Card List(2023) follow the following Steps given below:
Step 1: Go to the Official Website of MGNREGA @nrega.nic.in.
Step 2: Then go to the Reports Section and Click on Job Cards.
Step 3: Afte that You will need to select your state.
Step 4: After that NREGA Panchayat Module Report will open Where you will be asked to fill the respective information.
Step 5: Now you Check you name as the NREGA Job Card List beneficiary appear on the screen.
Importance of NREGA 2005
India’s rural areas are the only ones where NREGA is in effect. According to current terms of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the government would offer at least 100 days of paid employment to every rural household with family members who have volunteered to perform unskilled jobs.
- It provides a right to work for rural individuals who are not financially stable and who often face unemployment due to a lack of opportunities and skills.
- It enhances the income and purchasing power of rural households, which can help them meet their basic needs and improve their living standards.
- NREGA will lead to the creation of assets such as roads, canals, ponds, and wells, in the rural areas which can improve the infrastructure, irrigation, water conservation, and agriculture of the region.
- It empowers rural women, who will constitute a large proportion of the workforce under this act, by giving them equal wages, work opportunities, and participation in decision-making.
- It reduces the rural-urban migration, which often leads to overcrowding, slums, and social problems in the cities, by providing local employment and development in the rural areas.
- NREGA 2005 is important because it promotes social inclusion and equity, It ensures that these benefits will reach to backward class of society such as the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
Challenges Faced by NREGA 2005
One of the main criticisms of the NREGA is that much of the funds distributed by the government are siphoned off by middlemen, leaving many employees with unpaid salaries or wages that are below minimum wage. The major challenges faced by NREGA Act 2005 are as follows:
- One of the most persistent challenges is the delay in wage payments to NREGA workers. Timely payment is crucial for the livelihoods of rural households, and any delay can lead to financial hardships.
- Corruption and leakages in the implementation of NREGA projects and funds have been reported in various regions.
- Many people who need the benefit from this act are unaware of the NREGA Act. Generally, people who belong to undeveloped villages and rural areas. Lack of information and awareness can hinder participation
- According to NAREGA, 100 days of employment is provided and that could be any 100 days in a year depending on the agricultural calendar so it’s difficult for them to get employment in the remaining days of the year.
- While NREGA aims to empower women through employment opportunities, there are a lot of challenges in getting equal women participation in employment because of family’s cultural barriers. A lot of people don’t allow women or girls from their house to go for a job.
- The budget allocation for NREGA varies from year to year, and it may not always be sufficient to meet the demand for employment generated by the program. This can lead to delays in project execution and wage payments.
Recommended Articles:
NREGA Official Website | Payment of MGNREGA (Caste Based) | Main Features of MGNREGA
FAQs on NREGA Act 2005
What is NREGA 2005 Act?
NREGA, or the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), is an acronym for the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act of 2005. The law was approved by the Indian Parliament in September 2005, and it became effective in February 2006.
Who benefits from the NREGA Act 2005?
NREGA primarily serves the people from poor families of rural areas to solve there problems of life security by giving medical benefits and providing employment for 100 days in an year.
How does NREGA reduce poverty in rural areas?
NREGA addresses poverty by offering jobs and income to rural households They provide employment to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
What types of projects receive NREGA funding?
NREGA provides funding for projects such as rural infrastructure, such as the construction of roads, water conservation structures, and irrigation facilities.
How does NREGA promote gender empowerment?
NREGA encourages female participation in the workforce by ensuring that at least one-third of beneficiaries are women, thus elevating their economic and social standing.
What are the difficulties faced by NREGA?
Challenges encompass delayed wage disbursements, corruption, the quality of created assets, bureaucratic impediments, and the seasonal nature of employment.
How can NREGA contribute to rural development enhancement?
NREGA has the potential to boost rural development by creating productive assets, advocating environmental sustainability, and reducing poverty.
Is NREGA accessible year-round?
NREGA provides work opportunities throughout the year, with job availability often linked to local agricultural cycles.
How can I verify the progress of NREGA projects in my vicinity?
You can ascertain the status of NREGA initiatives and payments online via the official government portal or make inquiries with local authorities.
What are the rules of NREGA?
NREGA aims to provide at least one hundred days of guaranteed salary employment in every financial year to every family whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.