-The Indian Express The average days of employment provided per household, too, fell to 40.01 from 45.97 in 2013-14 and 46.20 in 2012-13. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public barbs against its being a “living proof” of 60 years of Congress misrule, to a proposal now for extending the annual work entitlement to 150 days in drought-affected areas, the BJP-led government’s disposition towards the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act (MGNREGA)...
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‘Decline began in late UPA rule’ -Mehboob Jeelani
-The Hindu Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh: In February, Ram Aathray, a 37-year-old farmer from Mahoba, lost most of his crop to a hailstorm. His four acres of land produced a mere two quintals of wheat. “It’ll only last for four months,” he fears. He could take a mortgage loan but he’s saving that for his daughter’s wedding. The only option would be to migrate to Delhi and work on a construction site....
More »‘Irregularities and delay in payment’ -Pavan Dahat
-The Hindu Sukma: He completed the work allotted to him under MGNREGA last year, but Boteram Yadav from Sonakukanar village is still waiting for his pay. “I was assured Rs. 157 per day for helping construct a road, but I haven’t been paid yet,” he said. “But I want to work under MGNREGA again. Some villagers received their wages within a few months of working.” Sonadhar, another villager, is one such...
More »Fuelling urban migration -Amarnath Tewary
-The Hindu Mahant Maniyari, Bihar: October in Bihar is a month of festivals, but the mood in this village comprising 10,000 people in Kudhani block was far from celebratory. Hundreds of workers sat on a 32-day dharna in the village panchayat bhawan, festivals forgotten, their only demand being wages. Despite visits by district officials, what came of the protests were only cases slapped against four protestors. There are over 300 workers in...
More »Fall in allocations -S Harpal Singh
-The Hindu Adilabad: Despite a drought in scorching Adilabad, the number of labourers seeking work under MGNREGA has plummeted. Only about 3.91 lakh labourers have reported for work so far this year against last year’s 5.12 lakh. “Delay in payments is perhaps the major reason for wage seekers to stay away from work,” said Durgam Praveen, supervising a group of workers in Inkarguda village. Durgam Balaraju agreed with him. “It is...
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