Ministry of Rural Development - UPSC Social Justice Notes

The Ministry of Rural Development serves as the backbone of India’s rural transformation, dedicated to empowering rural communities through inclusive development initiatives. With a focus on alleviating poverty, enhancing livelihoods, and improving basic infrastructure, it implements programs such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) to uplift rural India. Stay informed about government schemes, policies, and projects aimed at rural empowerment and sustainable development. Explore opportunities for rural entrepreneurship, skill development, and community participation facilitated by the Ministry of Rural Development. Whether you’re a farmer, artisan, social worker, or policymaker, let’s collaborate to build a prosperous and equitable future for India’s rural heartland.

Table of Contents

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Scheme

Overview:

Introduced in 2005, MGNREGA is a social measure that guarantees the “right to work.”
Its primary goal is to provide at least 100 days of wage employment in rural India to enhance the quality of life.

Key Objectives of MGNREGA:

Generation of Paid Rural Employment
- Provide not less than 100 days of paid work for each volunteer engaged in unskilled labour.
Proactive Social Inclusion
- Strengthen the livelihoods of the rural poor.
Creation of Durable Rural Assets
- Develop assets like wells, ponds, roads, and canals in rural areas.
Reduction of Urban Migration
- Aim to decrease migration from rural to urban areas.
Rural Infrastructure Development
- Utilize untapped rural labour to create infrastructure.

Eligibility Criteria for MGNREGA Benefits:

Citizenship Requirement
- Applicants must be citizens of India to receive MGNREGA benefits.
Age Requirement
- Job seekers must be at least 18 years old when applying.
Household Affiliation
- Applicants should be part of a local household and apply through the local Gram Panchayat.
Volunteering for Unskilled Labor
- Eligible individuals must be willing to engage in unskilled labour.
Priority for Women
- Priority is given to women, ensuring that at least one-third of beneficiaries are women who have registered for work.

Implementation of the Scheme:

Timely Employment Provision
- Employment must be provided within 15 days of application submission or work demand.
Unemployment Allowance
- Individuals have the right to receive an unemployment allowance if employment is not provided within fifteen days.
Mandatory Social Audit
- MGNREGA works undergo mandatory social audits to ensure accountability and transparency.
Role of Gram Sabha
- The Gram Sabha serves as the primary platform for wage seekers to voice their concerns and make demands.
Approval of Works
- The Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat approve the list of works under MGNREGA and set their priorities.
Challenges
- MGNREGA has been facing a number of challenges, including:
  - Delays in wage payments.
  - Corruption.
  - Lack of transparency.
  - Inadequate infrastructure.
  - Lack of awareness among rural citizens.
Positive Outcomes:
- A powerful instrument for inclusive growth in rural India.
- Livelihood security for the poor.
- Creation of durable assets, improved water security, soil conservation, and higher land productivity.
- Positive impact on the standard of living of households through an increase in household income.
- Empowerment of SC, ST, and Women.
Negative Outcomes:
- No regular social audits.
- Leakage of funds.
- Technology and network issues in rural and remote areas for geotagging, etc.
- Delay in payment of wages.
- Low wage rate.

Various reforms and suggestions that can help make the MGNREGA program more successful:

Urban MGNREGA: Extending the program to urban areas can help address unemployment issues in cities and provide employment opportunities for low-skilled workers.
Universal Basic Income (UBI): Considering UBI as an alternative to MGNREGA could be explored. UBI is often considered more efficient and less prone to leakage compared to some existing welfare schemes like MGNREGA.
Convergence with Other Schemes: Aligning MGNREGA projects with the broader objectives of other government schemes can improve the sustainability of projects and ensure they contribute to larger development goals.
Innovative Measures: Implementing innovative measures such as leveraging digital platforms for transparency, monitoring, and grievance redressal can enhance the program’s efficiency. Exploring partnerships with the private sector to create more job opportunities and involving Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) in program implementation can also be beneficial.
Social Audit: Mandating regular social audits, perhaps every six months, can improve the transparency and accountability of the MGNREGA program.
Job Card Issuance: Ensuring that job cards are issued to eligible individuals seeking employment under MGNREGA, rather than to elected PRI representatives and MGNREGA officials, can prevent misuse and streamline the program’s benefits to those who need them most.
These reforms and suggestions aim to enhance the effectiveness and impact of MGNREGA while addressing some of its existing challenges and limitations.
Way Forward
- The following are some of the ways to address the challenges faced by MGNREGA:
  - Improve the efficiency of the implementation machinery.
  - Ensure timely wage payments.
  - Reduce corruption.
  - Increase transparency.
  - Improve infrastructure.
  - Raise awareness among rural citizens.

Project UNNATI

Project UNNATI is a skilling initiative with the following key features:
Purpose: The project is designed to enhance the livelihoods of individuals who have previously been part-time workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). It aims to facilitate their transition to full-time employment.
Target Audience: Project UNNATI focuses on providing training to one adult member of a household, specifically those aged between 18 and 45 years old. To be eligible, individuals must have completed 100 days of employment under MGNREGA in the preceding fiscal year.
Financial Support: Candidates who participate in the training program receive a stipend. Notably, all expenses related to these stipends are fully funded by the Central Government.
In essence, Project UNNATI aims to empower MGNREGA beneficiaries by equipping them with skills and support that enable them to move from part-time employment to full-time opportunities, ultimately improving their livelihoods.

National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) App

The National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) App is a tool introduced to enhance transparency in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) across various States and Union Territories. Here are the key features and benefits of the NMMS App:
Purpose: The NMMS App was launched on May 21, 2021, with the primary goal of capturing attendance records at worksites under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS.
Attendance Monitoring: The app enables the recording of worker attendance through geo-tagged and time-stamped photographs. This feature ensures that workers are physically present at the worksite.
Minimum Worker Requirement: The system requires muster rolls to be issued for sites with 20 or more workers, further ensuring accurate attendance records.
Enhanced Transparency: By requiring two time-stamped and geotagged photographs of workers each day, the NMMS App promotes transparency in the implementation of the NREGS.
Citizen Oversight: The use of this app not only increases transparency but also allows citizens to oversee the program. This empowers the public to monitor the progress and execution of the NREGS.
Faster Payment Processing: The accurate tracking of worker attendance through the app has the potential to expedite the processing of payments, benefiting the workers.
In summary, the NMMS App plays a crucial role in improving the transparency and efficiency of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS by enabling real-time tracking of worker attendance through geotagged and time-stamped photographs. This not only fosters greater accountability but also empowers citizens to actively participate in overseeing the program’s implementation.

.JALDOOT App

The JALDOOT App, developed by the Ministry of Rural Development, serves the following purpose:
Objective: The app is designed to assist Gram Rojgar Sahayak (Gram Panchayat Development Assistants) in measuring the groundwater level of specific wells on a biannual basis in selected villages.
Data Utilization: The data collected through this app will be used to formulate plans for augmenting groundwater resources. These plans are part of the broader Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and contribute to the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
In essence, the JALDOOT App aids in the systematic collection of groundwater level data, which is then used to inform strategies for enhancing groundwater resources as part of rural development initiatives. This data-driven approach is crucial for sustainable planning and management of water resources in selected villages.

National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a significant government initiative administered under the Ministry of Rural Development. Here are key details about NSAP:
Inception: NSAP was launched on August 15, 1995, as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Constitutional Basis: It aligns with Article 41 of the Indian Constitution’s Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). Article 41 mandates the State to provide public assistance to citizens facing unemployment, old age, sickness, disablement, and other cases of undeserved want, subject to the state’s economic capacity and development.
Objective: The primary objective of NSAP is to offer financial assistance in the form of social pensions to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities.
Coverage: NSAP currently extends its benefits to more than three crore individuals who fall below the poverty line (BPL). This includes approximately 80 lakh widows, 10 lakh disabled individuals, and 2.2 crore elderly citizens.
Components: NSAP comprises five distinct schemes:
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
- Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
- Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)
- National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
- Annapurna
- These schemes collectively serve as a crucial social safety net, providing financial assistance and support to marginalized and disadvantaged sections of society in accordance with the principles outlined in the Indian Constitution.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana –Gramin (PMAY-G):

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana –Gramin (PMAY-G) is a rural housing scheme aimed at achieving the goal of “Housing for All”. Here are the key features and details of the PMAY-G:

Implementation Period: PMAY-G was launched on April 1, 2016, to provide assistance for the construction of 2.95 crore durable houses with basic amenities.
Target Extension: Originally targeted for completion by 2022, the timeline for PMAY-G has been extended to March 2024.
Annual Target Setting: Targets for PMAY-G are set annually based on factors like the availability of eligible beneficiaries, achievements of prior years’ targets, and discussions with States/UTs during Annual Action Plan deliberations.
Cost Sharing: The scheme involves cost sharing between the Central and State Governments. In plain areas, it’s shared at a ratio of 60:40, while in North Eastern and Himalayan States, it’s shared at a ratio of 90:10.
Beneficiary Selection: Beneficiaries are selected based on housing deprivation parameters identified in the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011, subject to 13-point exclusion criteria, followed by Gram Sabha verification.
Grievance Redressal: A grievance redressal mechanism is established at various levels of administration, including Gram Panchayat, Block, District, and the State. A designated State Government official is appointed at each level to ensure a satisfactory resolution of complaints. Additionally, complaints can be lodged on the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) portal.
Additional Features:
- Beneficiaries are entitled to 90 days of unskilled labour from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), facilitated through server linkage between PMAY and MGNREGA.
- The manufacture of bricks using cement-stabilized earth or fly ash is included under MGNREGA to meet the additional building material requirements.
- Beneficiaries have the option to avail of a loan of up to Rs. 70,000 for house construction.
- The unit size is increased from 20 sq.m to up to 25 sq.m, including a designated area for hygienic cooking.

PMAY-G is a comprehensive scheme with provisions for financial support, beneficiary selection, grievance redressal, and additional benefits to ensure the construction of durable houses in rural areas.

District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committees (DISHAs)

District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committees (DISHAs) are instrumental entities established with the following key features:
Purpose of Formation: DISHAs are set up to foster enhanced coordination among elected representatives at various levels, including those in Parliament, State Legislatures, and Local Governments such as Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipal Bodies. Their primary goal is to facilitate efficient and time-bound development.
Government-Wide Initiative: DISHA is a government-wide initiative aimed at promoting participative governance and deliberative democracy.
Review Mechanism: A central aspect of DISHA’s functioning is to conduct quarterly reviews of all development activities at the district level.
Chairperson and Committee Composition: The Chairperson of a DISHA committee is the most senior Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) elected from the district. This appointment is made by the Ministry of Rural Development. The committee meetings are attended by all elected representatives and officials from the district.
Powers and Responsibilities: DISHA committees have the authority to request information and ensure effective follow-up on issues raised during their deliberations.
Member Secretary: The District Collector serves as the Member Secretary, responsible for convening DISHA meetings and ensuring that follow-up actions are taken effectively and in a timely manner.
In summary, DISHA committees play a vital role in promoting coordinated and efficient development efforts. They provide a platform for elected representatives to review and address district-level development activities through regular, structured meetings. This initiative emphasizes the importance of participatory governance and aims to facilitate timely progress in various development projects.

FAQs

Q. What is the role of the Ministry of Rural Development?

The Ministry of Rural Development is responsible for formulating and implementing policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life and livelihoods of rural communities in India. It focuses on rural infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, employment generation, social welfare, and empowerment of marginalized groups in rural areas.

Q. What are the key objectives of the Ministry of Rural Development?

The Ministry of Rural Development aims to promote inclusive and sustainable rural development by addressing the socio-economic needs and challenges of rural communities. Its objectives include poverty reduction, rural infrastructure development, natural resource management, employment generation, social protection, and empowerment of rural women, youth, and marginalized groups.

Q. What initiatives has the Ministry of Rural Development undertaken to promote rural infrastructure development?

The Ministry implements various initiatives and schemes to improve rural infrastructure, including Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for rural road connectivity, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for rural employment and asset creation, and Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) for rural housing. These initiatives aim to enhance accessibility, connectivity, and quality of life in rural areas.

Q. How does the Ministry of Rural Development address issues of poverty and livelihoods in rural areas?

The Ministry of Rural Development implements poverty alleviation programs and livelihood promotion initiatives to empower rural households economically. It provides financial assistance, skill development training, and access to credit and markets for agriculture, livestock, non-farm activities, and micro-enterprises. Additionally, it promotes social protection measures, including pensions, insurance, and social security schemes for vulnerable groups in rural areas.

Q. What role does the Ministry of Rural Development play in empowering marginalized groups and promoting social inclusion in rural areas?

The Ministry of Rural Development focuses on empowering marginalized groups such as rural women, Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) through targeted interventions and affirmative action. It promotes their participation in decision-making processes, access to resources and services, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance their socio-economic status and well-being. Additionally, it implements special programs for the upliftment of rural youth and differently-abled individuals to ensure their inclusion and participation in rural development processes.

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Ministry of Rural Development – UPSC Social Justice Notes