Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken a revolutionary decision, making a historic change to the MNREGA scheme. Now, workers will receive full wages not only for working on government projects but also for working at home.
Workers who have registered under NREGA and have an NREGA card will now receive full benefits even for working at home. This scheme will prove to be a major relief for poor families. If a worker works at home for 90 days, a complete record will be maintained and an amount of ₹31,140 will be transferred directly to their account.
Many facilities have now been included under the NREGA scheme. This scheme includes road construction, pond construction, canal cleaning, tree plantation, and water conservation work in rural areas. In addition, farmers will receive wages for building bunds, digging wells, and creating irrigation facilities in their fields.
The most significant feature of the scheme is that laborers will now be able to earn wages for constructing toilets, laying concrete floors, repairing roofs, and performing other domestic construction work at their homes. This will provide a double benefit to poor families—on one hand, their homes will be developed, and on the other, they will also receive employment.
Under NREGA, each laborer is paid a wage of ₹346 per day. Every family is guaranteed at least 100 days of employment in a financial year. If a laborer does not find work within 15 days, they are also provided with unemployment allowance.
Women are given special priority under the scheme. At least 33 percent of the total workforce is reserved for women. Drinking water, shade, and first aid facilities are also mandatory at the workplace. Creches are also provided for women with young children.
Workers are paid directly into their bank or post office accounts, eliminating middlemen. Wages must be paid within 15 days of the start of work. If there is a delay, the worker is given an additional amount as compensation.
Registration under the NREGA scheme is completely free. Anyone over the age of 18 who lives in a rural area and is willing to perform unskilled manual labor can apply for this scheme. A job card is issued within 15 days of registration.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that this decision will bring positive changes to the lives of poor laborers. He appealed to all eligible laborers to register under NREGA as soon as possible and take full advantage of this scheme. This scheme will not only provide employment but will also lead to the overall development of rural areas.
