Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005

MGNREGA, which is the largest work guarantee programme in the world, was enacted in 2005 with the primary objective of guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households. It aims at addressing causes of chronic poverty through the ‘works’ (projects) that are undertaken, and thus ensuring sustainable development. The Act provides a legal right to employment for adult members of rural households. Employment must be provided with 15 days of being demanded failing which an ‘unemployment allowance’ must be given. PRIs are primarily responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring of the works that are undertaken. Thus there is an emphasis on strengthening the process of decentralisation through giving a significant role to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in planning and implementing these works.