Wages to workers: How MGNREGA fared in past 10 years

Early in its tenure the government, according to civil society activists, viewed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) "testimony" to the failures of the United Progressive Alliance government (2004-14).

- SANJEEB MUKHERJEE

However, over the years the MGNREGA and its importance have been repeatedly reinforced, which has also been backed by big budgetary increases. The scheme's administration had also undergone a change and asset creation has improved.

Chakradhar Buddha, senior researcher, LibTech India, said: The trajectory of the scheme has been marked by three key characteristics. First, its effectiveness has been influenced by budgetary allocations. Second, the technological transition, particularly the rollout of the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) without proper piloting, has presented substantial challenges. The NMMS app has created hurdles for workers. Third, the trend towards centralisation of decision-making, including the identification of works to be taken up, and the lack of transparency in the process pose significant concerns.

Expansion during Covid

The biggest boost to the MGNREGA was during the pandemic, when millions of workers migrated from cities to villages in search of livelihood as employment dried up due to the lockdown.

The data shows in 2020-21 and 2021-22, almost 110 million individuals worked under the scheme. That was the highest ever in a single year ever since the scheme started in 2006.