Context:
The editorial critically examines the Viksit Bharat Rozgar Guarantee Act (VB-GRA) 2025, which seeks to replace MGNREGA, and argues that the move undermines Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), particularly Article 41, which mandates the State to secure the right to work. It situates MGNREGA within India’s constitutional, political, and socio-economic framework.
Key Highlights:
Policy Background & Constitutional Basis
- MGNREGA (2005) guarantees a minimum of 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households.
- Anchored in Article 41 (DPSP) — Right to work within State’s economic capacity.
- Though not a Fundamental Right, it has strong constitutional legitimacy and moral force.
Political Economy & Historical Evolution
- Demand for right to work dates back to Constituent Assembly debates; consciously placed under DPSPs.
- Political mobilisation by Left parties and grassroots movements strengthened the demand.
- Enactment in 2005 followed a hung Parliament, compelling coalition consensus.
- MGNREGA emerged as a demand-driven, universal, rights-based law — rare in capitalist economies.
Core Features of MGNREGA
- Legal entitlement to work on demand.
- Decentralised implementation via Panchayats.
- Women’s empowerment: ~60% workers are women; financial inclusion via bank accounts.
- Wage revision mechanism linked to inflation and skill requirements.
- State bears financial responsibility (~10%), Centre the rest.
Concerns with VB-GRA, 2025
- Shifts from demand-driven to budget-limited, allocation-based model.
- Removes legal enforceability of work guarantee.
- Introduces eligibility conditions like digital attendance, which may exclude vulnerable groups.
- Curtails universality, especially affecting women and marginal workers.
- Seen as a direct assault on DPSPs and constitutional ethos.
Socio-economic Impact & Evidence of Distress
- High MGNREGA demand reflects rural distress, not scheme failure.
- Participation among rural women and SC/ST groups remains high.
- Rising dependence on MGNREGA due to jobless growth and agrarian stress.
- Wage stagnation and delayed payments already undermine scheme effectiveness.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Article 41 (DPSP): Right to work, education, and public assistance.
- MGNREGA: World’s largest public employment programme; demand-driven.
- Rights-based vs allocation-based welfare models.
- Decentralisation: Panchayats as implementing authorities.
- Women-centric welfare: Financial inclusion through wage payments.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Governance: Importance of rights-based legislation in social justice.
- Polity: DPSPs as foundational to constitutional morality.
- Economy: Role of MGNREGA in counter-cyclical rural employment and wage floor.
- Ethics & Social Justice: State’s responsibility towards the rural poor.
- Way Forward:
- Retain legal guarantee of employment.
- Strengthen transparency through social audits, not exclusionary digital filters.
- Regular wage revision linked to inflation.
- Treat MGNREGA as a developmental investment, not fiscal burden.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS II: Constitution, DPSPs, governance
- GS III: Rural economy, employment, inclusive growth
- GS IV: Social justice, constitutional morality