New Law Completely Demolishes Concept of a Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

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New law completely demolishes concept of a rural employment guarantee scheme: Nikhil Dey, Founder Member, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, to Karan Thapar for The Wire. .......................................... In sharp and focused criticism of the government’s new rural employment scheme, which he says is mistaken and misleadingly called a guarantee, Nikhil Dey, a Founder Member of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, says it has “completely demolished the idea of a rural employment guarantee scheme.” Mr. Dey makes four very important criticisms of the way the scheme is funded and will operate. First, he points out its supply-driven and not, as MGNREGA used to be, demand-driven. So, when the amount set aside as expenditure is exhausted, employment will stop even if there is demand for further employment. That is the first critical change with MGNREGA, and it vitiates the MGNREGA guarantee. Second, Mr. Dey points out that the Centre will determine how much money each state is given and, if it chooses, it can give negligible amounts to States where the Opposition is in power and it has poor relations with the State government. Third, Mr. Dey points out that the ratio of funding between the Centre and the States has altered from 90:10 to 60:40 which, by some estimates, could impose an increased additional burden of 30,000 crore on the States, which many, if not most, may not be able to meet. Fourth, Mr. Dey points out that the new law permits the Centre to decide where in the States the scheme will operate. It’s possible that large chunks of a State or several districts, where employment is needed, may be left out. In conclusion, Mr. Dey says it's completely misleading and false to claim that the new law enhances the guarantee of a 100 days of employment a year to 125. I will stop there. If you want to understand the new law and how it demolishes the existing concept of MGNREGA then this is an interview you must see. Join The Wire's Youtube Membership and get exclusive content, member-only emojis, live interaction with The Wire's founders, editors and reporters and much more. Memberships to The Wire Crew start at Rs 89/month. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWtJey46brNr7qHQpN6KLQ/join