MGNREGA Job Cards to Remain Active During Transition to New Rural Employment Scheme
People holding job cards under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act will face no disruption in work opportunities. This assurance comes as India prepares to transition to a new rural employment framework. The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Act will replace the current system.
Timeline for Implementation
Officials from the rural development ministry confirm the new scheme will launch in the coming financial year. The central government must first frame and notify the rules. Once the Act's commencement date is officially announced, state governments will receive a six-month window. They need this time to develop their own schemes for implementing the law effectively.
Seamless Transition with Existing Job Cards
The government proposes a simple solution to prevent any work stoppage. Workers can continue using their existing MGNREGA job cards. These cards will be linked with Aadhaar-based eKYC verification. This move ensures the job guarantee remains intact during the shift between schemes.
Ministry officials report significant progress on this front. Approximately seventy-five percent of job cards have already undergone eKYC verification under the current MGNREGA program. This existing verification will smooth the transition process.
Continuity for Ongoing Projects
What happens to projects already underway under MGNREGA? Officials clarify that incomplete projects will not be abandoned. These initiatives will continue as planned even after the transition to the new Viksit Bharat scheme begins. This policy protects both workers' livelihoods and community development efforts.
Building a Robust New Framework
Government teams are currently working on several critical components for the new law. Their tasks include:
- Framing detailed rules and regulations
- Establishing normative allocations for funds
- Creating a clear fund flow plan
- Developing a comprehensive IT framework
- Setting up a national-level steering committee
- Strengthening the social audit system
Enhanced Transparency and Technology
The new legislation places a strong emphasis on transparency. It aims to eliminate fund leakages and prevent duplication of work. Technology will play a central role in achieving these goals.
Sources indicate the government plans to leverage digital tools extensively. Systems will track work progress meticulously. They will also ensure timely wage payments to workers. Accountability will be strengthened through the use of 'e-measurement' books.
Another key change involves how work is requested. In the future, all demands for employment must be submitted through a dedicated digital platform. This shift aims to streamline the process and reduce paperwork.
Preserving Core Principles
Officials emphasize one crucial point. The new law will not alter the fundamental nature of the employment guarantee. The scheme remains demand-driven. Workers can still request work based on their needs, just as they do under MGNREGA. This continuity protects the rights and expectations of rural workers across India.
