Concern over worker deletions under MGNREGA

Source: The post concern over worker deletions under MGNREGA has been created, based on the article “The right to work deleted” published in “The Hindu” on 28th November 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Governance-Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping.

Context: The article highlights a sharp increase in worker deletions under MGNREGA, with over 10.43 crore deletions in four years. In 2022-23 alone, 5.53 crore workers were deleted, marking a 247% surge from 2021-22. This trend raises concerns over procedural fairness, transparency, and the right to work, as many deletions lack proper verification and violate guidelines. The surge coincides with Aadhaar-based payment compliance, suggesting potential misuse of deletion protocols

For detailed information on Social Audit in MGNREGA & MGNREGA Challenges read this article here

What Are the Guidelines for Deleting Job Cards?

1. Legal Basis: Job card deletions are governed by Schedule II, Paragraph 23 of the MGNREGA Act and Master Circulars issued by the Ministry of Rural Development.
2. Permitted Reasons: The MGNREGA MIS dropdown menu lists 12 reasons for deletion. Some of the prominent reasons include; permanent household migration, discovery of duplicate job cards, or if the job card was obtained using forged documents.
3. Due Process: Deletions require independent verification by the Programme Officer and must be documented and reported to the Gram Sabha or Ward Sabha.
4. Updating Records: All deletions must be updated in the MGNREGA Management Information System (MIS) to maintain accurate and transparent records.
5. Mandatory Adherence: The Act and the circular emphasize the necessity of adhering to these protocols to ensure fairness and accountability in the deletion process.

Why Did Deletions Surge in 2022-23?

1. Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS): The surge coincided with mandatory ABPS implementation, requiring Aadhaar-linking to job cards. Strict compliance measures led to rushed deletions.
2. Procedural Violations: Many deletions, like “Not willing to work” (83% in 2022-23), occurred without Gram Sabha discussions or worker knowledge.
3. Regional Impact: No MGNREGA funds were released to West Bengal since December 26, 2021, halting all work in the state. For example, in Mayureshwar-I block, deletions jumped from 550 workers in 2021-22 to 31,861 in 2022-23, largely due to lack of funds.
4. Documentation Gaps: Reasons like “Village becomes urban” were inconsistently applied, with partial deletions in some cases.

What Problems Persist in the Deletion Process?

1. Arbitrary Deletions: Many deletions lacked worker knowledge or Gram Sabha approval.
2. Inconsistent Reasons: Some deletions used invalid reasons, such as “Village becomes urban,” but only part of the village was affected.

How Can Deletion Issues Be Addressed?

1. Adhere to verification processes.
2. Involve Gram Sabhas in deletions.
3. Conduct independent audits and grievance redress.
4. Train Panchayats for fair inquiries.
5. Ensure public consultations and transparency.
6. MGNREGA must maintain its goal of employment and justice by preventing arbitrary deletions and improving accountability.

Question for practice:

Examine the factors contributing to the surge in worker deletions under MGNREGA in 2022-23 and the procedural lapses associated with it.