Q1. Explain the development sequence of MGNREGA program and discuss the role and shortcomings of MGNREGA in rural development.
- MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment per rural household for unskilled manual work annually.
- The Act evolved from earlier schemes like FWP and SGRY, enacted as NREGA in 2005, expanding nationwide by 2008.
- MGNREGA's role includes poverty reduction, income security, asset creation, and empowering women and marginalized groups.
- It promotes decentralization by mandating Gram Panchayats to plan and implement projects at the local level.
Answer: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), initially known as NREGA, represents a landmark social security measure in India's rural development landscape. It guarantees 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. This program aims to enhance livelihood security, particularly for vulnerable sections, by providing a legal right to work. Understanding its evolution and impact is cruc...