Brinda Karat Advocates for National Movement to Revive MGNREGA
Brinda Karat urges national movement to restore MGNREGA, criticizes BJP-RSS ideology.
Brinda Karat, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), called for a nationwide movement to restore the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on 26 January 2026. Speaking at a public meeting in Hyderabad, she criticized the Union government's Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB–G RAM G, Act. Ms.
Karat accused the BJP and RSS of promoting the Manusmriti, which she claimed institutionalizes discrimination against women. She also emphasized the need to resist “imperialist, capitalist and Manuvadi forces” that perpetuate injustice against women.
Key Facts
MGNREGA: Provides livelihood security to rural poor
Criticism: BJP and RSS promoting Manusmriti
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Connects to syllabus topics like poverty, unemployment, rural development, and social justice.
Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical questions on the effectiveness of MGNREGA, challenges in implementation, and its impact on rural livelihoods.
Visual Insights
MGNREGA: A Timeline of Key Events
A timeline highlighting the evolution of MGNREGA and related developments, leading up to the current call for its revival.
MGNREGA has been a cornerstone of rural employment in India, facing challenges and adaptations over time. The current call for revival reflects ongoing concerns about rural distress and the effectiveness of alternative schemes.
- 2005MGNREGA Act enacted on September 7, guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment.
- 2009NREGA renamed as MGNREGA, adding Mahatma Gandhi's name.
- 2015MGNREGA budget sees fluctuations amidst debates on its effectiveness and implementation.
- 2020Increased demand for MGNREGA work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reverse migration.
- 2022Concerns raised about delayed wage payments and insufficient funds for MGNREGA.
- 2024Government explores linking MGNREGA with agriculture to enhance rural livelihoods.
- 2026Brinda Karat calls for a national movement to revive MGNREGA, criticizing the VB–G RAM G Act.
More Information
Background
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has its roots in earlier employment schemes like the National Food for Work Programme (NFFWP) launched in 2004. However, MGNREGA, enacted in 2005, marked a significant shift by legally guaranteeing wage employment. The Act aimed to provide 100 days of wage employment to rural households whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
This was a departure from previous schemes that were often ad-hoc and lacked legal backing. The initial implementation faced challenges like wage delays and corruption, but it has evolved to become a crucial safety net for rural populations, particularly during periods of drought or economic distress. Over the years, MGNREGA has been amended to include provisions for social audits and greater transparency.
Latest Developments
In recent years, MGNREGA has faced challenges related to funding and implementation. There have been reports of delayed wage payments and reduced allocation of funds, leading to concerns about its effectiveness. The government has been exploring ways to improve the efficiency of the scheme, including the use of technology for monitoring and payment.
There is also an ongoing debate about the types of assets created under MGNREGA, with a focus on durable and productive assets that can contribute to rural development. The convergence of MGNREGA with other rural development programs is also being emphasized to maximize its impact. The future of MGNREGA will likely depend on addressing these challenges and ensuring its effective implementation at the grassroots level.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is MGNREGA and why is Brinda Karat advocating for its revival?
MGNREGA, or the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, aims to provide livelihood security to rural households by guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment. Brinda Karat is advocating for its revival due to concerns about its current state and effectiveness, as well as to resist forces she believes are perpetuating injustice.
2. What are the key facts about MGNREGA that are important for the UPSC Prelims exam?
For the UPSC Prelims, remember that MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households. It aims to provide livelihood security to the rural poor. Also, be aware of recent challenges related to funding and implementation.
Exam Tip
Focus on the objectives and recent challenges of MGNREGA for Prelims.
3. According to Brinda Karat, what ideologies are detrimental to the goals of MGNREGA and social justice?
Brinda Karat criticizes the BJP and RSS for promoting the Manusmriti, which she claims institutionalizes discrimination against women. She also emphasizes the need to resist “imperialist, capitalist and Manuvadi forces” that perpetuate injustice.
4. What are the recent developments related to MGNREGA that are relevant for the UPSC exam?
Recent developments include challenges related to funding and implementation, reports of delayed wage payments, and reduced allocation of funds. The government is exploring ways to improve the efficiency of the scheme, including the use of technology for monitoring and payment.
5. What is the historical background of MGNREGA?
MGNREGA has its roots in earlier employment schemes like the National Food for Work Programme (NFFWP) launched in 2004. MGNREGA, enacted in 2005, marked a significant shift by legally guaranteeing wage employment.
6. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of MGNREGA?
MGNREGA provides livelihood security and reduces rural poverty. However, it can also face issues like delayed wage payments, potential for corruption, and debates about the types of assets created under the scheme.
7. What reforms are needed to improve the effectiveness of MGNREGA?
Reforms could focus on ensuring timely wage payments, strengthening monitoring mechanisms to reduce corruption, and diversifying the types of works allowed under the scheme to create more durable assets.
8. What is the significance of January 26, 2026, in the context of this news?
January 26, 2026, is the date when Brinda Karat called for a nationwide movement to restore MGNREGA at a public meeting in Hyderabad.
9. What is the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB–G RAM G, Act, and why is it being criticized?
As per the provided information, Brinda Karat criticized the Union government's Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB–G RAM G, Act. The reasons for her criticism are not explicitly stated in the provided text, but it is implied that she believes it is inadequate compared to MGNREGA.
10. How does the call to revive MGNREGA impact common citizens, especially in rural areas?
A revived and strengthened MGNREGA can provide crucial livelihood support to rural households, reduce poverty, and create employment opportunities in rural areas. It can also empower women and marginalized communities by providing them with wage employment.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): 1. It guarantees 150 days of wage employment to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. 2. The Act mandates that at least one-third of the beneficiaries shall be women. 3. Social audits of MGNREGA works are mandatory and must be conducted by the Gram Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is INCORRECT: MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment, not 150 days. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The Act mandates that at least one-third of the beneficiaries shall be women to promote gender equality. Statement 3 is CORRECT: Social audits are mandatory and conducted by the Gram Sabha to ensure transparency and accountability. The Act empowers the Gram Sabha to monitor the implementation of projects within the village.
2. Which of the following committees is/are associated with the assessment and recommendations related to MGNREGA? 1. Mihir Shah Committee 2. N.C. Saxena Committee 3. Vijay Kelkar Committee Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
The Mihir Shah Committee (2015) was constituted to review the MGNREGA and suggest measures for its effective implementation. The N.C. Saxena Committee (2009) also examined various aspects of the MGNREGA. The Vijay Kelkar Committee is primarily associated with fiscal consolidation and public-private partnerships, not directly with MGNREGA.
3. Assertion (A): MGNREGA aims to enhance livelihood security of households in rural areas of the country by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year. Reason (R): MGNREGA focuses primarily on creating durable assets and infrastructure in rural areas, thereby improving the overall quality of life. In the context of the above, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false
- D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: B
Assertion (A) is true: MGNREGA's primary objective is to provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households. Reason (R) is also true: While MGNREGA aims to create assets, its primary focus is on providing employment. The creation of durable assets is a secondary objective. Therefore, R is not the correct explanation of A.