Types of work under NREGA may be expanded

Government is considering a proposal to expand the types of works under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to provide wider option to beneficiaries.    

An expert group has been constituted to examine the issues relating to inclusion of new activities on the land of small and marginalised farmers, a Rural Development Ministry official said today.    

With several state governments demanding that the job scope of NREGA be expanded by including new activities, the expert group will interact with them and other stakeholders to examine the issues.    

The 11-member team, to be headed by a joint secretary official of the ministry, will submit its report within six weeks. The team will include representatives from NABARD, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, and the National Rainfed area Authority.    

The team will also examine the operational aspect of horticulture plantation under the state employment guarantee scheme of Maharashtra which has been under operation in the state prior to NREGA.    

The list of permissible works under the Act provides for taking up land development, irrigation and horticulture plantation on the land of designated categories of farmers, including small and marginal farmers with priority to SCs, STs and persons belonging to below poverty line. NREGA also provides for taking up works on community land.