MNREGA may be restricted only to backward, tribal districts

Union Minister for Rural Development and Drinking water and Sanitation addressing a press conference about initiatives taken and roadmap planned by his Ministry in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: R.V. Moorthy.

The government on Monday indicated that it may restrict the rural job scheme MNREGA only to tribal and backward districts of the country.

Rural Development Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the MNREGA guaranteeing up to 100 days of unskilled work in a year to every rural household is not required in areas having higher growth.

“MNREGA is not required in areas where per capita income is high, higher growth rate and higher agricultural growth rate... it is required only in tribal sector and (areas of) poor,” he said about the government’s view on MNREGA launched by UPA.

Government has allocated around Rs 33,000 crore for the scheme in 2014-15.

Launched in 2005, MNREGA has been an important source of income for millions of rural households - on an average 25 per cent of the rural households seeks employment under the Act, annually.

MNREGA has contributed to increased rural wages across the country, empowerment of marginalised sections and improved natural resource management.

Mr. Gadkari said MNREGA funds should be utilised for water conservation works.