MGNREGA Job Cards

Why in the News?

There has been a sharp rise in the deletion of workers from job cards under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in India. In 2022-23 alone, over 5.53 crore workers were removed from job cards, marking a 247% increase from the previous year (2021-22). This surge has raised concerns about the right to work and transparency in the implementation of the scheme.

Key Features of MGNREGA Job Cards

The MGNREGA Job Card is a vital document under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). It serves as both an entitlement card and a tracking tool for ensuring the implementation of the scheme.

1. Unique Identification:

   • Each job card is assigned a unique identification number, which helps in distinguishing it from others and ensures proper tracking in the MGNREGA Management Information System (MIS).

2. Household Details:

   • The job card contains detailed information about the adult members of the household who are eligible for work under the scheme. This includes names, gender, age, and their eligibility for employment.

3. Work Eligibility:

   • The card entitles the household to 100 days of guaranteed wage employment per financial year for adult members who are willing to engage in unskilled manual labor. This provision ensures livelihood security, especially in rural areas.

4. Wage Disbursement:

   • The job card tracks work done by each individual, records the wages earned, and maintains payment details. It helps ensure transparency in wage disbursement, which is linked to the Aadhaar-based payment system in many cases.

5. Monitoring Tool:

   • The job card acts as a monitoring tool for tracking the progress of work, ensuring that the work is completed on time and that wages are paid. It helps in assessing the implementation of the program at the Gram Panchayat level and provides feedback on the progress of various works.

6. Issued by Gram Panchayat:

   • Gram Panchayats (local self-government bodies) are responsible for issuing MGNREGA job cards. They verify eligibility and maintain records of the households in their jurisdiction that are entitled to participate in the scheme.

Importance of the MGNREGA Job Card

• Legal Guarantee: It serves as a legal guarantee of employment, allowing rural households to demand work when they need it.

• Entitlement: It formalizes the right to work under MGNREGA, ensuring that rural residents are not excluded from the scheme arbitrarily.

• Transparency and Accountability: By maintaining accurate records of work and wages, the job card ensures transparency and accountability in the implementation of MGNREGA.

Key Provisions for Deletion of MGNREGA Job Cards

Under the MGNREGA Act, job cards can be deleted only under specific conditions:

1. Permanent Migration: If a household permanently moves out of the concerned Gram Panchayat.

2. Duplicate Job Cards: If a job card is found to be a duplicate.

3. Forged Documents: If the job card was issued based on fraudulent or forged documents.

4. Reclassification of Area: If a Gram Panchayat is reclassified as a Municipal Corporation, job cards in that area are deleted.

5. Other Reasons: Reasons like “Duplicate Applicant,” “Fake Applicant,” or “Not Willing to Work” may also lead to deletion, as per the MGNREGA Management Information System (MIS).

Role of Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS)

The surge in deletions coincided with the implementation of ABPS. This system mandates that workers link their Aadhaar numbers to their job cards. If workers did not properly link their Aadhaar numbers or if the linkage was incorrect, their job cards were deleted.

Key issues related to ABPS and job card deletion include:

• Incorrect Aadhaar Linkages: Workers whose Aadhaar numbers were either not linked or incorrectly linked faced deletions.

• Lack of Verification: The deletion process often lacked proper verification, leaving workers at risk of wrongful removal from job cards without sufficient evidence.

Due Process for Deletion

The MGNREGA Act mandates that before a worker’s name is deleted, they must be given a chance to be heard. The process should involve:

• Two independent persons for verification.

• Reasons for deletion must be independently verified.

• Action documentation should be shared with the Gram Sabha or Ward Sabha for transparency.

Implications of Deletion of MGNREGA Job Cards

The deletion of job cards raises several concerns:

1. Violation of Right to Work: If workers are deleted due to reasons like "not willing to work," it undermines their legal right to work, especially when they may have actually worked or requested work in the same year.

2. Inconsistent Procedure: There is inconsistency in the deletion process, especially with the classification of villages becoming urban areas. According to the Act, all job cards should be deleted in an urbanized area, but only some workers face deletion.

3. Bypassing Gram Sabha Approval: The MGNREGA Act mandates that deletions be reviewed and approved by the Gram Sabha. However, many deletions happen without this necessary review, violating the Act’s provisions.

4. Wrongful Deletions: A large number of deletions occur without proper verification or due process. In some cases, workers were deleted for reasons that were either incorrect or fabricated (e.g., being labeled as "not willing to work").

5. Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Many of the workers affected by these deletions come from vulnerable communities with limited livelihood options. Deleting their job cards often worsens their economic condition, especially in the context of high rural unemployment.

6. Data-Driven Concerns: The increase in deletions correlates with the government’s push for compliance with ABPS, suggesting that some deletions might be motivated by incentives related to the Aadhaar linkage rather than genuine issues with workers’ eligibility.

What is the MGNREGA Scheme?

The MGNREGA is a flagship employment scheme introduced in 2005 aimed at providing wage employment in rural areas. The main features of the scheme include:

• Objective: To ensure livelihood security by providing at least 100 days of wage employment to adult members of rural households willing to engage in unskilled manual labor.

• Target Group: The scheme targets rural households that seek employment, prioritizing women (at least one-third of the wage seekers should be women).

• Registration: Households apply to their Gram Panchayat, which issues job cards after verification.

• Work Availability: Work must be offered within 15 days of the application, and ideally within 5 kilometers of the worker’s village.

• Unemployment Allowance: If work is not provided within 15 days, workers are entitled to an unemployment allowance, which is one-fourth of the wage rate for the first 30 days and half for the rest.

• Works Under MGNREGA: Includes tasks related to water conservation, afforestation, irrigation, rural connectivity, and sanitation, among others.

MGNREGA and SDGs

The scheme contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): By providing wage employment, it helps alleviate poverty.

• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Promotes gender equality by ensuring that at least one-third of beneficiaries are women.

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Supports projects related to water conservation and sanitation.

Way Forward

To address the issues surrounding MGNREGA job card deletions, the following steps are necessary:

1. Strengthening Verification Processes: Ensure that all deletions are carried out in compliance with the MGNREGA Act and Master Circular to minimize wrongful deletions and protect workers’ rights.

2. Audit and Oversight: Set up independent audits or third-party agencies to periodically review deletion records and the reasons for job card removals. This will enhance transparency and reduce the scope for arbitrary decisions.

3. Grievance Redressal: Establish a clear and efficient system for workers to file complaints and seek redressal if their job cards are wrongfully deleted.

4. Empowering Gram Sabhas: Ensure that all deletions are reviewed and approved by the Gram Sabha, in line with the mandates of the MGNREGA Act.

5. Upgrading the MIS: Enhance the Management Information System to improve tracking of deletions, with real-time notifications and strong reporting features for better monitoring.

6. Data Analytics: Use data analytics to detect trends and irregularities in deletions, enabling timely interventions and corrective actions.

Conclusion

While MGNREGA has been instrumental in providing employment and enhancing livelihood security in rural India, the recent surge in job card deletions raises serious concerns about transparency and workers' rights. Strengthening the verification process, ensuring due process, and enhancing oversight mechanisms are essential steps to ensure that the scheme achieves its intended goals and protects the rights of its beneficiaries.