Evaluate the impact of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) on rural development in Tamil Nadu. and the challenges in implementing the scheme.

 

ANSWER

INTRODUCTION

• The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has had a transformative impact on rural development in Tamil Nadu, addressing multiple socio-economic challenges in the state.
• The scheme, which provides 100 days of unskilled manual labor employment to rural households, has not only provided livelihoods to millions but has also contributed significantly to rural infrastructure development.

 Economic Empowerment and Livelihood Security:

• MGNREGS has primarily provided economic security to rural families, especially to those from marginalized sections like women, small farmers, and persons with disabilities.
• Through their engagement in projects like earthen bund construction and water harvesting, these women have gained financial independence and improved their decision-making roles within their households.
• By providing a guaranteed income, MGNREGS has also reduced rural poverty, as workers receive a daily wage of ₹319, which is higher than traditional agricultural labor wages.

2. Infrastructure Development and Community Assets:

• One of the most visible impacts of MGNREGS has been the creation of community assets, which contribute to long-term rural development.
• In Tamil Nadu, projects like the construction of bunds, water harvesting structures, and ponds have enhanced the availability of water resources, especially in water-scarce areas.
• For example, in Villupuram district, a community water harvesting structure was built by a group of persons with disabilities, contributing significantly to local water conservation efforts.
• These infrastructure projects improve agricultural productivity and water availability for domestic use, which are crucial for rural well-being.

3. Contribution to Agriculture and Water Management:

• The scheme has played a vital role in agricultural water management, which is crucial in a state like Tamil Nadu, where many districts face water scarcity.
• By enabling the construction of percolation ponds, check-dams, and farm ponds, MGNREGS has helped recharge groundwater levels, thereby improving agricultural productivity.
• Small farmers, especially those owning dryland (up to 5 acres), have benefitted from wells dug under the scheme, which provide them with irrigation water during dry spells. This has contributed to better crop yields and a reduction in the dependency on erratic monsoons.

4. Rural Housing and Convergence with Other Schemes:

• MGNREGS has also supported rural housing, particularly through convergence with other government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) and the Tamil Nadu State Rural Housing Scheme. These converged projects have led to the construction of homes for low-income families.
• For instance, rural housing projects funded under the MGNREGS have enabled beneficiaries to build stronger, more durable houses, contributing to better living standards. This synergy with other schemes demonstrates how MGNREGS acts as a catalyst for broader rural development.

1. Green Cover

• Large number of beneficiary-workers are being utilized for raising seedlings at nurseries and plantations and for maintenance of seedlings, the activities that come under Green Tamil Nadu Mission.
• Due attention is being paid to the survival of the plants.
• Instructions have been issued that the saplings, which have grown beyond 6 feet, be planted and till then, they be nourished at nurseries.

2. Helping Small Farmers

• As part of the efforts to support small and marginal farmers (owning dryland of up to 5 acres or wetland of up to 2.5 acres), wells are being dug on private land, a feature that is quite recent in Tamil Nadu.

3. Monitoring application

• The National Mobile Monitoring System application, or NMMS app, meant for ensuring transparency, has been in place for capturing real-time attendance of the MGNREGS workers twice a day for all projects.

5. Challenges and the Need for Improvement:

Despite its positive impact, MGNREGS faces several challenges in Tamil Nadu.

1. Delayed Payment of Wages

• Delayed payment of wages, with arrears rising significantly.
• This delay affects the economic well-being of workers who rely on this income for survival.

2. Corruption And the Lack of Proper Monitoring

• Furthermore, the scheme’s effectiveness has been hindered by corruption and the lack of proper monitoring in some areas.
• While the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) helps in capturing real-time attendance, greater transparency and efficient management are needed to ensure the timely implementation of projects.

3. Selection of Beneficiaries

• Provision (Section 3(1) of the Act along with 2(a) — provision of unskilled manual work to every household with a willing adult member (having completed 18 years of age) — has become a contentious issue among land-owning agriculturists, the law does not state that a job has to be given only to the poor

4. Labor shortage

• “High wages that are paid to the beneficiaries (₹319 per day) have led to a situation wherein people in rural areas are not willing to do farm work, even when they are unemployed

5. ‘Landowners gain too’

• “Small and marginal landowners are also beneficiaries of the MGNREGS.
• They plan our activity in such a manner that they cover the work under ‘Nooru Naal Velai Thittam’ as well as the farming operations

Conclusion:

• Overall, MGNREGS has been a powerful tool for rural development in Tamil Nadu, providing employment, improving infrastructure, and contributing to water conservation and agriculture.
• However, to maximize its benefits, addressing challenges like wage delays and corruption is crucial. With proper management and implementation, MGNREGS can continue to play a significant role in rural development, ensuring sustainable livelihoods and improved living conditions for millions of rural households.
• This answer critically evaluates the impact of MGNREGS on rural development in Tamil Nadu, touching upon key areas such as economic empowerment, infrastructure development, and water management, while also highlighting the challenges that need to be addressed.