MGNREGA at Village Level — Set 5

Correct Answer: B. B) Workers are entitled to compensation at 0.05% of unpaid wages per day of delay

Under Section 25 and Schedule II of MGNREGA, if wages are not paid within 15 days of the completion of work, workers are entitled to compensation at the rate of 0.05% of the unpaid wages per day of delay. This compensation is paid from the state government's administrative funds, creating a financial incentive for timely payment. The compensation claim can be made before the Programme Officer. Despite this provision, delayed wage payments remain a major challenge in MGNREGA implementation, particularly in states with weak administrative systems. The Right to Fair Compensation is a key legal entitlement under the Act.

Correct Answer: B. B) A convergence initiative to train women SHG members as para-extension workers in agriculture using MGNREGA wages

Krishi Sakhi is a convergence initiative between MGNREGA and the agricultural extension system, where women SHG members are trained as para-extension workers (Krishi Sakhis) to provide farming knowledge to other rural households. During the training period, Krishi Sakhis receive MGNREGA wages, making the training financially viable for poor women. Krishi Sakhis disseminate information on seed selection, soil health, organic farming, and crop management at the village level. This convergence initiative exemplifies how MGNREGA's wage support can be leveraged to build human capital and improve agricultural productivity among women farmers.

Correct Answer: D. D) 100%

Under MGNREGA's funding pattern, the Central Government bears 100% of the cost of wages for unskilled manual workers. The Centre also bears 75% of the material and skilled/semi-skilled wage costs, with states contributing 25%. For administrative costs, the Centre funds them within the 6% ceiling. This highly skewed central funding pattern was designed to ensure that states do not face financial barriers in providing employment, making MGNREGA one of the most centrally funded welfare programmes. The 100% central funding of unskilled wages ensures that the core employment guarantee is not compromised by state fiscal constraints.

Correct Answer: B. B) It mandates Gram Sabha to conduct social audits of all works taken up in the village

Section 17 of MGNREGA mandates that the Gram Sabha shall monitor the execution of works within the Gram Panchayat by conducting social audits. Social audits must be held at least twice every year to verify records including muster rolls, measurement books, and bills. Documents are to be made publicly available before the audit to enable community verification. The Ministry of Rural Development issued Social Audit Rules in 2011 to strengthen this process, requiring independent Social Audit Units (SAUs) in each state. Section 17 makes social audit a statutory right and duty of the Gram Sabha, institutionalising community accountability.

Correct Answer: B. B) A block-level officer responsible for sanctioning works and ensuring timely employment

The Programme Officer (PO) under MGNREGA is typically a Block Development Officer (BDO) at the block level who is the key implementing authority for the scheme. The PO is responsible for consolidating labour demand, sanctioning works to meet that demand, ensuring timely wage payments, and managing the shelf of projects. If a Gram Panchayat fails to provide employment within 15 days, the PO must arrange work from the block's shelf of projects. The PO also receives complaints and compensation claims from workers and acts as the first appellate authority for aggrieved workers. The PO is the critical link between the Gram Panchayat and district administration.

Correct Answer: B. B) MGNREGA has raised agricultural wages by creating an employment alternative for rural labour

Multiple economic studies have found that MGNREGA has significantly raised agricultural wages in rural India by providing workers an alternative source of employment and setting a wage floor. By guaranteeing employment at a statutory wage rate, MGNREGA improves the bargaining power of agricultural labourers vis-à-vis landowners. States with higher MGNREGA implementation have seen faster growth in agricultural wages compared to states with low MGNREGA utilisation. This wage effect is particularly pronounced for women agricultural workers, contributing to reduction in the gender wage gap in rural labour markets.

Correct Answer: B. B) MGNREGA labour is used for source sustainability works linked to Jal Jeevan Mission water infrastructure

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched in 2019, aims to provide tap water connections to all rural households by 2024. MGNREGA is used in convergence with JJM for source sustainability works such as building recharge structures, groundwater recharge pits, and watershed development activities that ensure adequate water for the tap connections. MGNREGA's unskilled labour component is mobilised for earth-moving and civil works while JJM funds the pipes and technical infrastructure. This convergence maximises the impact of both programmes — ensuring sustainable water supply while generating rural employment. The Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Rural Development jointly implement this convergence.

Correct Answer: B. B) It is a legally enforceable right of every rural household

The employment guarantee under MGNREGA is a legally enforceable right of every rural household, not a discretionary privilege. The Act confers the right to work as a legal entitlement, meaning that if the government fails to provide employment within 15 days, the worker is entitled to unemployment allowance as a legal remedy. This shift from a 'scheme' to a 'rights-based' approach is the fundamental innovation of MGNREGA. Unlike earlier employment programmes that were budget-limited, MGNREGA has open-ended central funding obligation — the Centre must release funds as long as states generate genuine demand. This makes MGNREGA the world's largest rights-based employment guarantee programme.

Correct Answer: B. B) MGNREGA has reduced distress migration by providing employment during lean seasons

Research studies consistently show that MGNREGA reduces distress migration from rural areas to urban centres during agricultural lean seasons by providing local employment. Districts with higher MGNREGA implementation have seen lower rates of seasonal out-migration. During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-21), MGNREGA was significantly expanded to absorb returned migrants, demonstrating its role as a buffer against distress migration. The programme also builds village assets that improve agricultural productivity, further reducing the need to migrate for livelihoods. This anti-migration effect is one of MGNREGA's most important social benefits beyond direct employment generation.

Correct Answer: B. B) Providing lighter, more suitable tasks and creche facilities to ease physical burden on women workers

Drudgery Reduction under MGNREGA refers to a set of provisions aimed at making work more accessible and less physically burdensome for women workers. These include providing creche facilities for children of women workers at work sites with more than 5 children under 6 years, ensuring drinking water, shade, and first aid at work sites, and assigning appropriate tasks that consider women's physical capacity. Work sites must also ensure women's safety and provide separate toilet facilities. These provisions recognise that women workers face additional barriers in accessing employment and aim to make MGNREGA truly inclusive for women.