NEWS – MGNREGA Norms Tweaked for Water Projects

HIGHLIGHTS

Background of MGNREGA

• MGNREGA full form: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.
• Objective:
  • Provide at least 100 days of guaranteed employment per rural household per financial year.
  • Enhance livelihood security through creation of durable assets.
• Key Features:
  • Minimum 100 days employment.
  • Permissible works listed in Schedule-I of the Act.
  • Funds allocated by both Centre and state governments.
• Performance Over the Years:
  • Approximately 2–3 crore households benefit annually.
  • Focus has been on rural infrastructure, poverty alleviation, and social security.

Recent Amendment: Focus on Water

• Notification Date: 23 September 2025 by Ministry of Rural Development.
• Amendment:
  • Schedule-I now specifies minimum expenditure on water conservation and harvesting works.
  • Funds to be allocated at block/subdivision level depending on groundwater status.
• Proportion of Works Based on Groundwater Status (CGWB classification):
  • Over-exploited blocks: ≥65% cost on water projects.
  • Critical blocks: ≥65%.
  • Semi-critical blocks: ≥40%.
  • Safe blocks: ≥30%.

Groundwater Status & Classification (CGWB)

• Over-exploited: Stage of extraction >100% (depletion).
• Critical: 90–100% extraction.
• Semi-critical: 70–90% extraction.
• Safe: ≤70% extraction.
• Function of CGWB: Classifies blocks, monitors groundwater, advises on sustainable use.

Importance of Water Projects

• Uses of Groundwater: Drinking, irrigation, industrial, livestock.
• Consequences of Contamination:
  • Heavy metals: Kidney, liver, nervous system damage.
  • Nitrates: Methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome).
  • Fluoride: Dental & skeletal fluorosis.
  • Bacteria/parasites: Diarrhea, cholera, dysentery.
• Government Measures:
  • Promotion of water conservation/harvesting.
  • Groundwater management schemes under Jal Shakti Ministry.
  • Integration with rural employment schemes like MGNREGA.