Why in News
- The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) revised the Schedule-I norms of MGNREGA to increase allocation and spending on water conservation, water harvesting, and water-related rural works.
- Objective: Address groundwater depletion and promote productive assets, aligning MGNREGA with climate resilience and agriculture sustainability.
Relevance
- GS-3 (Economy & Rural Development):
- MGNREGA implementation, rural employment, and resource allocation.
- Water conservation and sustainable agriculture linkages.
- GS-3 (Environment & Ecology):
- Groundwater depletion, water security, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
- GS-2 (Governance):
- Policy reforms, targeted fund allocation, and state-level planning under a central scheme.
What is MGNREGA?
- Full form: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.
- Purpose: Provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment per rural household annually.
- Scope:
- Rural works under employment guarantee are funded by the Central Government.
- Work types: infrastructure creation, water conservation, land development, afforestation, etc.
- Key provision: Minimum wage payment for 100 days per household, with priority to the poorest and most vulnerable.
What Changed in the Norms?
- Previous rules: Funds could be spent flexibly across sectors; water-related works had a maximum 30–35% allocation.
- New rules:
- Minimum 60% of MGNREGA funds at the district/block level must go to water conservation, water harvesting, and water-related works.
- Other works (productive assets, agriculture-related, and livelihood-focused) will compete for the remaining allocation.
- Reason for change:
- To create productive assets that directly support agriculture and rural income.
- Responds to Prime Minister’s directive emphasizing water security.
Classification of Blocks
- Blocks categorized based on groundwater extraction:
- Semi-critical: groundwater depletion moderate; some intervention needed.
- Critical: severe depletion; urgent intervention needed.
- Over-exploited: excessive extraction; recharge and conservation critical.
- Funding priority:
- Blocks with over-exploited or critical status get the majority of MGNREGA allocations.
- Objective: replenish groundwater and improve agricultural productivity.
Financial Implications
- Allocation: About ₹35,000 crore earmarked for water-related works under MGNREGA.
- State-wise impact:
- Priority to states with over-exploited or critical blocks.
- Example: Rajasthan (214 blocks), Punjab (115), Tamil Nadu (106), Haryana (88), Uttar Pradesh (59).
Rationale Behind the Move
- Groundwater depletion: Over 70% of blocks in over-exploited or critical zones face declining water tables.
- Agriculture support: Water conservation critical for irrigation, crop resilience, and rural livelihoods.
- Climate resilience: Addresses rainfall variability and drought-prone areas.
- Prime Minister’s push: Aligns MGNREGA with productive asset creation, beyond mere wage employment.
Strategic and Policy Implications
- MGNREGA as a multi-purpose tool:
- Provides employment
- Builds climate-resilient infrastructure
- Supports water security and agriculture productivity
- Monitoring and implementation:
- Focus on district/block-level planning
- Ensures targeted interventions in critical areas
- Expected outcome:
- Improve groundwater recharge
- Ensure sustainable agriculture and livelihoods
- Reduce rural migration due to water scarcity
