In rural India, one promise still carries immense weight: “If you ask for work, work will be provided.” The scheme that gave this promise legal backing is the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). It was launched on February 2, 2006, in Bandlapalli village of Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the very few schemes in the world that recognizes employment as a legal right.

Today, the scheme enters its 18th year. Over these 18 years, how much has rural India changed? How much has it slipped backward? What impact will recent changes have on the lives of rural workers? The central government has now renamed the scheme as the “Poojya Bapu Rural Rozgar Guarantee Bill 2025” and increased guaranteed workdays to 120. How effective will these changes be?

To answer these questions, a comprehensive review of the scheme’s successes, failures, controversies, and future direction is essential.

Origins and History — Employment as a Right for Rural India

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was introduced by the UPA-I government in 2005 and implemented in 2006. In 2009, Mahatma Gandhi’s name was added to the scheme.

Key Objectives of the Scheme:

1. Guaranteed employment of at least 100 days per year for every adult in a rural household

2. Creation of durable assets in villages, such as:

Ponds/Roads/canals/Tree Plantation/ Land Development

3. Minimum 33% reservation for women

4. Direct transfer of wages to bank accounts (DBT)

This is not merely an employment scheme—it is one of the most revolutionary steps taken for rural development and economic revival.

MGNREGS as a Lifeline During the COVID Pandemic

Between 2020 and 2022, when the pandemic gripped the nation, millions of migrant workers were forced to return from cities to villages. During that time, MGNREGS became their only support system.

Pandemic-Era Records:

111.9 million people employed in 2020–21 — the highest ever

38.9 million households completed 100 days of work

Best-performing states: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh

Economists wrote at the time:

> “Without MGNREGS, rural India would have faced starvation.”

The truth of this statement became evident during the crisis.

But… Did Real Development Happen?

A closer look at villages today reveals that many assets created under the scheme have not lasted.

Ground Realities in Villages, Ponds getting filled up again, Roads deteriorating, Trees drying up due to lack of watering, Severe decline in cleanliness, Clogged drainage systems,Garbage left unattended in villages outside municipal limits

Why Did This Happen?

Lack of priority to local needs while selecting works

Focus only on “doing some work”, not on outcomes

Public apathy and lack of community ownership

Absence of monitoring to ensure long-term sustainability

As a result, despite rising expenditure, the quality of rural infrastructure has not improved as expected.

---

Where Does MGNREGS Stand Today?

In 2024–25, budget allocation for the scheme wass was lower than the previous year, leading to a sharp reduction in available workdays per family.

Key Statistics:

Average work availability: only 45–50 days per year

In several states: just 20–30 days

Budget allocation: ₹86,000 crore (reduced)

Employment Scenario (CMIE Data):

Unemployment rate crossed 8.5%

Large proportion of rural youth remain unskilled

In such a situation, 100 days of work is clearly insufficient.

Recent Changes: Renaming and Increase in Workdays

The central government recently, Renamed the scheme as “Poojya Bapu Rural Rozgar Guarantee Bill 2025”.

Increased workdays from 100 to 120, Jammu & Kashmir already provides 150 days

However, the real impact of this increase will depend on implementation and budget support.

Job Card Deletions — A Major Controversy

Between 2019 and 2025:

45.7 million job cards were deleted

Government’s Explanation:

Deaths/ Fake cards/ Migrated families

Opposition’s Allegation:

Job cards of opposition supporters are being deliberately removed

In some states, mass deletions running into lakhs have gone viral. While conclusive evidence is still lacking, public suspicion has grown.

Corruption — A Pain Without Treatment

Reports from the CAG and social audits highlight:

Fake job cards

Wages paid for non-working days (ghost days)

Corruption in material bills

Nexus between officials and contractors

Despite Aadhaar linking and DBT, irregularities continue.

Solutions:

Genuine social audits

Strong Gram Sabha discussions

Mandatory online photos and videos of works

Community monitoring of work quality

Why Is Increasing to 200 Days Essential?

1. To Reduce Unemployment

Income security for nearly half the year

2. To Strengthen the Rural Economy

More work → more wages → higher purchasing power

3. For Durable Asset Creation

Large infrastructure works cannot be completed in 100 days

The “100 + 100” Model — A Future Path

First 100 Days: Development Works

Ponds, Canals, Roads, Land leveling,

Second 100 Days: Village Cleanliness, Plastic waste removal, Drain cleaning, Drain cleaning, Solid waste management, Tree maintenance, Village beautification

Two Major Benefits:

Increased employment

Healthier villages

Diseases like dengue and malaria would also decline.

200 Days Are Meaningless Without Wage Hikes

Current Daily Wages:

Telangana: ₹300–₹320

Andhra Pradesh: ₹280

Bihar: ₹228

Uttar Pradesh: ₹230

Considering inflation, these are far too low.

Minimum wages should be ₹400–₹450 per day.

---

Clean Surroundings — The Foundation of Public Health

Lack of cleanliness in villages leads to:

Increase in diseases

Water contamination

Rising healthcare costs

If the government ensures integrated implementation of:

Drinking water

Toilets

Waste management

Rural health outcomes will improve significantly.

Conclusion — MGNREGS as a Tool to Revive Rural India

Over 18 years, MGNREGS has saved crores of families and acted as a lifeline during the pandemic.

But today, the scheme faces serious challenges:

Budget constraints

Reduced workdays

Corruption

Job card deletion controversies

Declining quality of development works

To sustain rural India, the following are essential:

Increase to 200 workdays

Wage revision

Strong anti-corruption mechanisms

“100 + 100” model for development and cleanliness

Transparency and accountability

Only then will villages truly be strengthened.

Only then will Mahatma Gandhi’s dream be realized—clean, healthy villages with dignity of work.

MGNREGS is not just an employment scheme;

it is the backbone of India’s rural socio-economic system.

Strengthening it means strengthening the nation’s future.