RIGHT TO WORK:
POLITY/GOVERNANCE
NEWS:
The right to work deleted
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS?
MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of work annually for rural
households but witnessed a 247% surge in job card deletions (2022-23), often
without proper verification. To ensure fairness, independent audits, Gram Sabha
involvement, and transparency in deletion processes are recommended.
MGNREGA
and Issues with Job Card Deletions
About
MGNREGA
- Objective: Guarantees the 'right to work' by
providing at least 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households.
- Implementation:
Conducted primarily by Gram Panchayats (GPs); contractors are prohibited.
- Eligibility:
Households with adult members willing to do unskilled manual work.
- Legal Entitlement:
Employment is guaranteed under the Act.
Guidelines
for Job Card Deletion
- Permitted only in specific cases:
- Household permanently migrates.
- Job card is duplicate or based on forged documents.
- Gram Panchayat reclassified as a municipal corporation (all cards
deleted).
- Procedure: Workers must be informed, given an explanation
opportunity in the presence of two independent witnesses, and Gram Sabha
must be involved.
Surge
in Job Card Deletions (2022-23)
- Statistics: 1.49
crore workers deleted in 2021-22 vs. 53 crore in 2022-23 (247% rise).
- Reasons:
- Introduction of Aadhaar-based Payment System (ABPS) and pressure
to increase Aadhaar linkage compliance.
- Deletions without verification to artificially boost compliance
percentages.
- 83% deletions attributed to workers being "Not willing to
work," often incorrectly.
Problems
in the Deletion Process
- Lack of verification and adherence to due process.
- No involvement of Gram Sabha in decision-making.
- Lack of government analysis on reasons for deletions listed in MIS.
- Unjustified urbanization-related deletions and misclassification of
reasons.
Recommendations
for Improvement
- Independent Verification and Audits: Ensure legitimacy of deletions.
- Gram Sabha Involvement:
Conduct deletions transparently with community participation.
- Accountability Mechanisms:
Maintain clear records, enable grievance redressal systems, and ensure
transparency.
- Training for Local Authorities:
Equip Gram Panchayats with knowledge of proper protocols for deletion
decisions.