The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is an employment scheme by the Ministry of Rural Development that guarantees at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household. Under this scheme, adult members of a rural household who volunteer to perform unskilled work can apply for employment. The scheme ensures that the applicant receives guaranteed employment within 15 days from the date of application, and the wage is directly deposited into the applicant’s Bank Account or Post Office Account. Wages are typically paid within a week, and in any case, within fifteen days. The scheme covers all of India except districts with 100% urban population.
Benefits
- Timely Employment:
Eligible households receive guaranteed employment within 15 days of applying. - Local Work Opportunities:
Work is generally provided within a 5-kilometer radius of the applicant’s residence, or at least within the same Block. If the worksite is located beyond 5 kilometers, the applicant is entitled to travel and subsistence allowance (10% of the minimum wage). - Prompt Wage Payment:
Wages are paid within a week or, at the latest, within fifteen days. Equal wages are paid to men and women. - Worksite Facilities:
Every worksite provides shade, drinking water, and first-aid facilities. - Special Provisions:
- For Disabled Persons:
Special measures include identifying suitable works, focused mobilization, designated works in large Gram Panchayats (GPs), and the provision of a distinct job card. - For Senior Citizens:
Senior citizen groups can be formed, and special works requiring less physical effort are identified. - For Internally Displaced Persons:
A special job card is issued that remains valid until the families return to their original residence.
- For Disabled Persons:
Eligibility
- Age:
The applicant must be at least 18 years of age. - Residency:
The applicant must be residing in a rural area. - Household Registration:
All adult members of the household willing to do unskilled manual work may register for the scheme through their local Gram Panchayat.
Application Process
Application can be made Offline and Online (via Common Service Centres, CSCs):
- Offline Registration:
- The application for registration is submitted on plain paper to the local Gram Panchayat.
- An individual may appear in person before the Panchayat Secretary or Gram Rozgar Sahayak and make an oral request for registration. The necessary particulars (such as names of adult household members willing to do unskilled work, age, sex, SC/ST status, RSBY number, Aadhaar number, Below Poverty Line (BPL) status, and bank/post office account number) will be recorded.
- Verification by Gram Panchayat:
- The Gram Panchayat verifies that the household is a valid entity, confirms the local residency, and checks that the applicants are adult members.
- This verification process is completed within a fortnight of receiving the application.
- Data Entry and Job Card Issuance:
- After verification, the eligible household’s particulars are entered into the MIS (NREGASoft) by the Panchayat Secretary/Gram Rozgar Sahayak.
- The Gram Panchayat then issues a Job Card (JC) to the household within two weeks. The Job Card is handed over in the presence of local residents and follows a standardized format (as specified in Annexure-5 of the scheme guidelines).
- Online Registration Option via UMANG:
- Applicants may also apply online via the UMANG platform or similar portals. The online process involves creating an account, filling in the required details, and uploading necessary documents.
Documents Required
- Photograph: Recent passport-size photograph of the applicant.
- Household Details:
Names, age, and gender of all adult members registering for the job card. - Residency Information:
Name of the village, Gram Panchayat, and Block. - Proof of Identity:
Documents such as Ration Card, Voter ID, Aadhaar Card, or PAN. - Additional Details:
Information on whether the applicant is a beneficiary of SC/ST schemes, Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), or Land Reform (LR). - Signature/Thumb Impression:
Specimen signature or thumb impression of the applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who are the key stakeholders in MGNREGA?
A: Key stakeholders include rural households, Gram Panchayats, the Ministry of Rural Development, and the local administrative bodies responsible for verification and issuance of Job Cards.
Q2: Will the wage be paid monthly, weekly, or on a daily basis?
A: Wages are typically paid within a week, and in any case, not later than fifteen days from the date of work completion.
Q3: What is the wage rate for women employed for providing child care services?
A: Women are paid equally to men under MGNREGA, irrespective of the type of work performed.
Q4: What information is provided in the wage slip?
A: The wage slip details the number of days worked, daily wage rate, total wage amount, and deductions (if any).
Q5: How are the payments of wages made to the wage seekers?
A: Wages are deposited directly into the bank account or post office account of the wage seeker.
Q6: Is any authentic document required to open the wage seeker account?
A: Yes, proof of identity and other relevant documents (such as Aadhaar, bank passbook, etc.) are required to open and link the account.
Q7: Is there any compensation for delay in payment of wages?
A: Yes, if wages are delayed, there are provisions for compensation as per the scheme guidelines.
Q8: What social security is provided for MGNREGA workers?
A: Workers are provided with social security measures including safe work conditions, provision of drinking water, shade, and first-aid at worksites.
Q9: Who is designated as the PO in MGNREGA?
A: The Gram Panchayat is primarily responsible for registration and verification, while the local administrative officers ensure the smooth functioning of the scheme.
Q10: What is a Job Card?
A: A Job Card is an identification document issued to eligible households that registers their participation in MGNREGA and records details of the members available for work.
Q11: Is there any pre-printed form for providing details while registering for a Job Card?
A: Yes, the registration form and the Job Card format are provided as per the scheme guidelines (refer to Annexure-3 and Annexure-5).
Q12: Can all adult members of a household register for a Job Card?
A: Yes, any adult member of a household can register for a Job Card on behalf of the entire household.
Q13: For how many years is the Job Card registration valid?
A: The Job Card is generally valid for a stipulated period as per state guidelines, often until there is any change in the household’s eligibility status.
Q14: When is an applicant eligible for the unemployment allowance?
A: The unemployment allowance becomes applicable if an applicant remains unemployed for the period guaranteed under MGNREGA.
Q15: Who constitutes the special category of workers (vulnerable groups) under MGNREGA?
A: Vulnerable groups include persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and internally displaced persons, for whom specific provisions and job cards are issued.
Q16: Are there any special works identified for differently-abled persons under MGNREGA? Provide a few examples.
A: Yes, for differently-abled persons, suitable tasks are identified such as lighter manual tasks, providing drinking water, managing crèches, or roles that involve less strenuous physical effort.
Q17: Who are eligible to become members in Labour Groups?
A: Any adult member of a rural household willing to engage in unskilled work is eligible to register as part of the Labour Group under MGNREGA.
Q18: What is the procedure to register for employment under MGNREGA?
A: Registration is done by submitting an application (either offline at the Gram Panchayat or online via CSCs/UMANG) along with required details and documents, followed by verification and issuance of a Job Card.
Q19: If the information provided in the application is found to be incorrect, what is the process for correction?
A: The applicant can request corrections through the local Gram Panchayat, which will update the MIS (NREGASoft) as per the prescribed guidelines.
Q20: Should the cost towards the Job Card (including the photograph affixed on it) be borne by the applicant?
A: No, the cost for issuing the Job Card is borne by the state government.
Q21: Is there any provision for a duplicate Job Card in case of loss?
A: Yes, a duplicate Job Card may be issued upon request if the original is lost, subject to verification and processing by the Gram Panchayat.