MGNREGA at Village Level — Set 2

Correct Answer: A. 40:60

MGNREGA mandates that the ratio of material cost to labour cost should not exceed 40:60. This means for every Rs 100 spent, at least Rs 60 must go to labour wages. This ensures maximum employment generation and prevents contractors from mechanizing work. The prohibition on use of contractors and machinery is a key feature that distinguishes MGNREGA from regular public works.

Correct Answer: C. 15 days

Wages under MGNREGA must be paid within 15 days of completion of work or the weekly wage payment cycle. Payment is made directly into workers' bank or post office accounts through the PFMS system. Delay in wage payment entitles workers to compensation at the rate of 0.05% of unpaid wages per day of delay. This direct payment system reduces leakages and ensures workers receive their due wages.

Correct Answer: B. Ministry of Rural Development

MGNREGA is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. The scheme is executed through the three-tier Panchayati Raj system with Gram Panchayats at the primary level. State governments play a crucial role in implementation, monitoring, and payment of wages. The scheme has the largest rural employment guarantee in the world.

Correct Answer: A. A) 25% of wage rate for first 30 days, 50% thereafter

Under MGNREGA, if the state government fails to provide employment within 15 days of application, the applicant is entitled to an unemployment allowance. The allowance is at least one-fourth (25%) of the wage rate for the first 30 days and one-half (50%) of the wage rate for the remaining period. This unemployment allowance is paid from the state government's own funds, not from central funds. This provision ensures that workers have a safety net even when work cannot be provided.

Correct Answer: B. B) Facilitates registration, job card issuance, and work application at village level

The Gram Rozgar Sevak (GRS) is a dedicated village-level functionary under MGNREGA who acts as an interface between workers and the Gram Panchayat. The GRS assists in registration of households, issuance of Job Cards, receipt of work applications, and maintenance of muster rolls. The GRS plays a crucial role in ensuring transparency and timely documentation at the grassroots level. Each Gram Panchayat is required to have a GRS to effectively implement MGNREGA.

Correct Answer: B. B) 33%

MGNREGA mandates that at least one-third (33%) of the total beneficiaries in each state must be women. This reservation ensures meaningful participation of women in the rural workforce. In practice, women's participation in MGNREGA has often exceeded the 33% mandate, reaching over 55% nationally in recent years. This makes MGNREGA one of the largest women's employment programmes in the world.

Correct Answer: B. B) Water conservation and harvesting structures

MGNREGA permits works related to natural resource management, water conservation and harvesting structures, drought proofing, flood control, rural connectivity, and land development. Construction of government office buildings, manufacturing, and urban projects are not permissible under MGNREGA. Schedule I of the Act lists the permissible works, which must directly benefit rural households and the natural resource base. Works must generally be unskilled manual labour intensive to provide employment to poor rural households.

Correct Answer: B. B) It organises rural poor into Self Help Groups and provides livelihood support

The Aajeevika or National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), launched in 2011, organises rural poor women into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and provides them with financial linkages, skill training, and livelihood support. NRLM complements MGNREGA by addressing the supply side of rural livelihoods — building human capital, social capital, and market access for the rural poor. While MGNREGA provides immediate wage employment, NRLM aims at sustainable livelihoods through SHG federation and enterprise development. Together, they form a comprehensive rural poverty alleviation strategy.

Correct Answer: B. B) Combining MGNREGA works with other schemes to create durable assets

The convergence approach in MGNREGA involves combining the labour component of MGNREGA with the material component of other government schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, and Swachh Bharat Mission. This approach ensures that durable and productive assets are created while providing employment to rural workers. Convergence maximises the impact of government spending by avoiding duplication and leveraging complementary resources. It also helps in creating community assets that enhance the productive capacity of village ecosystems.

Correct Answer: C. C) Any officer designated by state government, including social audit teams

Under MGNREGA, verification of muster rolls and attendance records can be done by any officer designated by the state government, including independent social audit teams, the Gram Sabha, and vigilance and monitoring committees. The social audit process specifically mandates that all muster rolls, measurement books, and work completion certificates be made available to the public. Gram Sabhas conduct social audits twice a year to verify whether works were actually done and wages properly paid. This multi-level verification mechanism is designed to prevent corruption and ensure accountability.