Explain the objectives of implementing the NREGA 2005.

 Describe the role played by National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in improving the employment situation in India.

NREGA was first proposed in 1991 by P V Narasimha Rao. later renamed as the "Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act"MGNREGA).  Employment is to be provided within 5 km of an applicant's residence, and minimum wages are to be paid.

(i) To provide assured work to those who are able and are in need of work, in rural areas.
(ii) They are to be provided guaranteed 100 days of employment in a year within a pre defined time limit  of 15 days.  If work is not provided within 15 days of applying, applicants are entitled to an unemployment allowance. Thus, employment under MGNREGA is a legal entitlement.

 (iii) If government fails in its duty to provide employment, it will give unemployment allowance to the worker.
(iv) The types of work that would in future help to increase agricultural production will be given preference under the Act. 

(v) Another aim of MGNREGA is to create durable assets (such as roads, canals, ponds, wells).

Apart from providing economic security and creating rural assets, NREGA can help in protecting the environment empowering rural women,  reducing rural-urban migration and fostering social equity, among others."

 If work is not provided within 15 days of applying, applicants are entitled to an unemployment allowance. Thus, employment under MGNREGA is a legal entitlement.

MGNREGA is to be implemented by Gram Panchayats.

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