By Salonee Kulkarni
The Government, in the upcoming winter session of the parliament, is planning to repeal the MNGREA, with a new law, the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G).
MNGREA was enacted in 2005 by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition with the INC (Indian National Congress). MNGREA provides a legal guarantee scheme of 100 days’ wage employment to rural households. The new law, VB-G RAM G, has increased government spending and extended the duration from 100 to 125 days.
The bill was circulated in the Lok Sabha on 15th December and aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The new law establishes and emphasises growth, empowerment, convergence, and saturation to ensure prosperity and a resilient attitude towards building a rural Bharat. Under the new law, the number of days has been increased from 100 to 125 for wage employment. The scheme is voluntary for rural households and is applicable annually. The individuals must be adults and willing to undertake unskilled labour under this scheme.
The new law focuses on the rural infrastructure. It ensures water security by inspecting the public water service equipment in rural areas, drafting plans to develop core infrastructure, and improving rural livelihood. Drafting policies that mitigate the risk of extreme weather.
The Central Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council has been proposed under the bill. The formation will include a chairperson and representatives of the central government and the state government. It will include at least 15 non-official members who will represent Panchayat Raj institutions. To ensure inclusion, it should include workers and the weaker sections of society and the member secretary. The member secretary should not be below the rank of the joint secretary of India.
The opposition has disagreed with the change in the name of the scheme; although the application of the scheme is slightly different, the name has been changed.
To summarise the framework of the VB-G RAM G Bill. It emphasises a 125-day framework of wage employment every financial year for a rural household. It applies to adults who willingly volunteer for unskilled labour. The funds to run this scheme will be shared between the centre and the state. The proposal is the key aspect of the change in fund expenditure pattern by sharing it. The normative allocation is state-wise; the objective parameters are decided by the central government.
When the agricultural season is at its peak, no work can be commenced during the period to ensure farm labour availability. The wage rate is similar to MGNREA, but the wages must be paid on the 14th day after the work is completed. Compensation will be paid past the 16th day at 0.05 per cent of the unpaid wages per day. The parameters are decided by the central government. When the agricultural season is at its peak, no work can be commenced during the period to ensure farm labour availability. The wage rate is similar to MGNREA, but the wages must be paid on the 14th day after the work is completed. Compensation will be paid past the 16th day at 0.05 per cent of the unpaid wages per day.