NREGA hits rural poverty

There has been a 'significant dent' in rural poverty due to NREGA,the LS was informed.

There has been a “significant dent” in poverty in rural areas as the implementation of NREGA has increased earning of rural households resulting in an increase in their purchasing power,Lok Sabha was informed today.

“With the increase in employment opportunities and wage rates (under NREGA),there has been a significant dent in poverty in rural areas,” Union Minister for Rural Development C P Joshi stated in a reply to a written question in the Lower House.

The average wage paid under NREGA has increased from Rs 75 in 2007-08 to Rs 90 in 2009-10 up to February 2010,he said.

Story continues below this ad

Per household earning has increased from Rs 2,795 in 2006-07 to Rs 3,150 in 2007-08 and to Rs 4,060 (per month) in 2008-09 under the flagship programme,he added.

“Increase in income has resulted in increase in ability of rural households to purchase food grains,other essential commodities and to access education and health care,” he said.

Joshi informed the house that Mahatma Gandhi NREGA provides for enhancement of livelihood security of the rural households by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a year to every household on demand for doing unskilled manual work.

The Act was launched in 200 districts in its first phase on February 2,2006. Additional 130 districts were covered under the Act during 2007-08 and all the remaining rural areas in the country have been covered from April 1,2008,he said.

Story continues below this ad

“2.10 crore households were provided employment under the Act in 2006-07; 3.39 crore in 2007-08; 4.51 crore in 2008-09 and 4.79 crore have been provided employment during 2009-10 (up to February 2010),” he informed the House.

Since inception of the Act,701.71 crore mandays of employment have been generated,he added.

Participation of SC and ST beneficiaries in the total employment generated has been more than 50 per cent,Joshi said.

“Participation by women has been 40 per cent in 2006-07; 43 per cent in 2007-08; 48 per cent in 2008-09 and 2009-10 (up to February 2010),” he added.