Deletion of MGNREGA Job Cards | 30 Nov 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

The recent surge in the deletion of workers from job cards under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) has raised serious concerns about the right to work and transparency in implementation.

• In 2022-23 alone, over 5.53 crore workers were removed, marking a 247% increase from 2021-22.

What are the Key Provisions For Deletion of MGNREGA Job Cards?

• Grounds for Deletion: As per Schedule II, Paragraph 23 of the MGNREGA Act, 2005, a job card can only be deleted under specific, well-defined conditions:
  • Permanent Migration: If a household permanently relocates from the concerned Gram Panchayat.
  • Duplicate Job Cards: If a job card is found to be a duplicate.
  • Forged Documents: If a job card was issued based on forged documents.
  • Reclassification of Area: If a Gram Panchayat is reclassified as a Municipal Corporation, all associated job cards are deleted.
  • Other Valid Reasons: The MGNREGA Management Information System (MIS) lists reasons like "Duplicate Applicant," "Fake Applicant," and "Not Willing to Work."
• Role of ABPS: The surge in MGNREGA job card deletions during 2022-23 coincided with the implementation of mandatory Aadhaar-based payment systems (ABPS) which required workers to link their Aadhaar numbers to their job cards.
  • Workers with non-linked or improperly linked Aadhaar led to job card deletions.
• Due Process for Deletion: Workers proposed for deletion must be heard with two independent persons present, reasons for deletion independently verified, actions documented, and reports shared with the Gram Sabha or Ward Sabha for transparency.

What are the Implications of Deletion of MGNREGA Job Cards?

• Violation of the Right to Work: Deleting workers’ names from job cards on grounds of “not willing to work”, denies the worker his legal right to work.
  • Many workers labeled as "Not willing to work" actually worked or requested work in the same financial year of their deletion.
• Inconsistent Procedure: The official reason of “Village becomes urban,” used for deleting job cards of only some workers contradicts the Act's stipulation that all job cards in an urbanized area must be deleted.
  • Deletions often bypass Gram Sabha approval, violating the Act, and many workers face wrongful deletions without their knowledge.
• Absence of Verification: Many workers were victims of wrongful deletions when deletion was done without any verification or analysis to assess the validity of reasons for deletion.
  • While deletions are recorded in the MIS, the Ministry of Rural Development has not conducted any verification and analysis of deletion reasons, including the ‘Not willing to work’ reason.
• Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Deleting workers for reasons such as “not willing to work”, especially in light of high rural unemployment rates, directly undermines their livelihood opportunities.
• Data-Driven Concerns: The data indicates that the surge in deletions aligns with the increased focus on ABPS, suggesting that deletions may have been driven by compliance incentives rather than genuine reasons.

Way Forward

• Verification Processes: Ensuring deletions follow the MGNREGA Act, 2005 and Master Circular protocols is essential to minimize arbitrary deletions and protect workers' rights.
• Audit and Oversight: Set up independent bodies or third-party agencies to periodically audit deletion records and reasons for job card removals to ensure consistency and transparency.
• Grievance Redressal: Create or strengthen systems to provide workers with a clear and efficient process for filing complaints and seeking redress for wrongful deletions.
• Empowering Gram Sabhas: Ensuring that all deletions are reviewed and approved by the Gram Sabha as mandated by the MGNREGA Act, 2005.
• Upgrade MIS: Enhance the MIS to accurately track and record job card deletions, with real-time notifications and strong reporting features for better oversight.
  • Use data analytics to detect trends and irregularities in job card deletions for timely intervention and corrective action.