• Source:JND
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MGNREGA Wage Hike: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has recommended increasing the number of workdays provided under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) from 100 to 150 days. Besides, the panel advocated setting a minimum daily wage of at least Rs 400 for workers.

The committee has also suggested that an independent survey should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of MGNREGA. Emphasising the need to revamp the scheme in light of emerging challenges, the committee presented its report during the final week of the recently concluded Budget Session of Parliament. The report expressed concern over stagnation in the allocation of funds for the scheme and emphasised the importance of social audits to ensure proper implementation.

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The committee, chaired by Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, stated that a comprehensive national survey should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of MGNREGA.

According to the report, the survey should focus on worker satisfaction, delays in wage payments, participation trends, and financial irregularities within the scheme. "The committee recommends an independent and transparent national survey to gather vital information about the shortcomings of MGNREGA and to implement necessary policy reforms to enhance its effectiveness," the report stated.

The committee stressed the need to improve the scheme and noted that while the current provision allows for 100 days of employment, there have been demands from various regions to increase this number. "Given the changing times and emerging challenges, there is a need to reform the scheme. The committee urges the ministry to explore options to increase the guaranteed workdays under MGNREGA from the current 100 days to at least 150 days," it stated. 

Raising concerns over wages not keeping pace with inflation, the committee recommended revising the basic wage rates under MGNREGA to reflect current economic realities and provide rural workers with a dignified income. "A minimum daily wage of Rs 400 should be provided, as the current rates are insufficient to meet even basic daily expenses,” it said. 

The report noted that wage payments are often delayed and recommended increasing the compensation rate for such delays. It emphasised the need for enhanced transparency and accountability through expanded social audits and urged the Ministry of Rural Development to establish a 'social audit calendar'.

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Expressing concern over the high number of job card cancellations, the committee noted that around 50.31 lakh job cards were cancelled in 2021–22 due to minor spelling errors or mismatches with Aadhaar details, adding that a system of manual verification should be allowed. "The committee strongly recommends that the Department of Rural Development initiate a system to allow manual verification and correction so that workers are not unjustly excluded from the program," it added.