Employee Guarantee Scheme
Introduction:-
The Government of India passed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 in September 2005. This act provides a legal guarantee of year-round wage employment to adult members of rural families seeking employment and willing to perform unskilled manual labor.
As employment is provided to the poor in rural areas under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Maharashtra, this scheme is useful for the development of rural Maharashtra. Since this scheme is to be implemented through the Gram Panchayat, the scheme has strong potential to decentralize development. The scheme can mainly undertake public works and individual benefit schemes. While providing works under the scheme, the weaker sections of the society have been considered, this mainly includes Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, people below poverty line, beneficiaries of Indira Awas and Bhushudhar Yojana, small landholders, marginal farmers and forest lease holders etc. The beneficiaries of this category have been given priority for individual benefit schemes. This also includes agricultural and land improvement works, wells, farm ponds and orchard plantations, etc.
Background:-
Maharashtra is a progressive state in the country. Thane district which is located in the Konkan region, has a Historical background in this progressive state.Thane district has been included in the second phase of the MGNREGA scheme.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme-Maharashtra is implemented in 5 talukas, 5 Panchayat Samiti and 432 Gram Panchayats in Thane district.
Features of the scheme:-
Guaranteed year-round employment for adults over 18 years of age as a unskilled labour.
Registration of laborers and job cards:-
- Job card is essential to get employment.
- It is necessary to apply to the Gram Panchayat for a job card.
- Labour will get a free job card within 15 days.
- Job card for every family.
- One copy of the job card should be kept in the Gram Panchayat and one copy should be kept with the family.
Job Demand and Application:-
- Registered persons in need of employment are required to apply in Form No. 4 from time to time.
- The Gram Panchayat must be issue an acknowledgement receipt after applying in Form No. 4.
- Form No. 4 will be available at the Gram Panchayat Office.
- A registered individual or group can demand for employment in Form 4.
- The Gram Panchayat must provide employment to the laborer within 15 days of the request, otherwise he will get unemployment allowance.
- The Labour must work for at least 14 consecutive days.
- The Gram Panchayat should immediately inform the Group Development Officer about the demand for work.
- Employment will be provided within 5 km from the village, otherwise travel expenses will be provided for longer distances.
Rate of wages:-
- Equal wages to male and female workers at the rate determined annually by the Central Government.
- Determination of wages based on the amount of work done (as per measurement) (current wage rate is Rs. 312/-).
Comforts and conveniences:-
- Basic facilities such as drinking water, first aid, and childcare are available at the place of employment.
- Payment of wages through bank or post.
Choice of work:-
- The Gram Sabha or Gram Panchayat should recommend the works and prioritize the works to be undertaken.
- The Main feature of the scheme is the creation of permanent assets and collective and individual benefit works under the scheme.
- Skilled work in the work of public or individual beneficiaries should be done through the Gram Panchayat.
- It is necessary to complete old tasks before undertaking new ones.
- At least 50% of the total work will be done through the Gram Panchayat & the remaining 50%work through other Agencies.
- It is necessary to prepare a labour budget every year to match the demand for labour and the supply of work according to demand.
- Maintaining a 60:40 unskilled-skilled ratio.
- Ban on hiring contractors and using large machinery.
Transparency:-
- Details of all work done and costs will be provided to the Gram Sabha.
- It is necessary to put up Sign-Bords at the workplace.
- The attendance records of workers will be available for everyone to see.
- Social audit of the work done under nrega.
- Information about the scheme is available on the Website:- https://nrega.nic.in
- Office Address:-
3rd floor, Collector Office Thane,
opposite Thane District Court,
Court Naka, Thane West - Landline No. :- 022-208100503
- Email Id:- nregathane
@gmail.com