खड़गे: केंद्र की कार्रवाई मनरेगा को कमजोर कर बंधुआ मजदूरी का रास्ता खोल रही है

Mallikarjun Kharge accuses the Union government of paving the way for “bonded labour” by allegedly weakening the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This accusation arises from concerns about reduced budgetary allocations and changes to the scheme's implementation.

Rahul Gandhi equates the alleged weakening of MGNREGA to demonetisation, the GST rollout, and the introduction of the “three black farm laws,” arguing that all these actions are an attack on the Constitution.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) aims to provide a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to rural households whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. It's important because it provides a safety net for rural populations, reduces poverty, and can lead to rural development through asset creation.

Bonded labour is a form of forced labour where individuals are compelled to work to repay a debt or obligation. The accusation is that weakening MGNREGA leaves workers with fewer options for employment, making them more vulnerable to accepting exploitative work conditions and low wages, effectively pushing them towards bonded labour.

MGNREGA's pros include providing employment, reducing poverty, and creating rural infrastructure. Cons include potential for corruption, delays in wage payments, and concerns about the quality of assets created.

Reforms could focus on ensuring timely wage payments, reducing corruption, improving the quality of assets created, and better convergence with other rural development programs. Skill development initiatives can also be integrated to enhance long-term employability.

MGNREGA has its roots in earlier employment guarantee schemes, particularly the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) of Maharashtra, which began in 1972. The success of the EGS demonstrated the potential of providing rural employment as a means of poverty alleviation and rural development.

For Prelims, remember that MGNREGA aims to provide 100 days of wage employment to rural households. Also, be aware of the recent debates regarding its funding and implementation. Focus on the scheme's objectives and impact.

Based on available information, the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act is being criticized for its centralized framework, which some argue undermines the original intent and decentralized nature of MGNREGA.

Funding delays can severely impact MGNREGA by delaying wage payments to workers. This can lead to financial hardship for beneficiaries, reduced participation in the scheme, and a loss of confidence in the program's effectiveness.