In a huge relief to the rural life and the tribal welfare, the Jharkhand government has declared that the tribal community will now have the right to 150 days of employment in a year under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This will be done to improve the income security and offer the most vulnerable communities in the state sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Conventionally, MGNREGA ensures employment on a wage basis of 100 days in a financial year of any rural household in which adult members of the household are willing to engage in unskilled manual labour. But noting that Scheduled Tribe (ST) families, particularly those living in the forest or having land rights according to the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006, have some unique difficulties, the Centre and the Jharkhand government have added this guarantee of 150 days.
The officials added that the choice will mostly be helpful to the tribal families living in remote and forested parts of Jharkhand, including Gumla, Simdega, Latehar, and West Singhbhum, where there are fewer alternative sources of income. The 50 days of extra employment would assist the families in carrying out land development, afforestation, water conservation and other projects, helping in enhancing the livelihoods and infrastructure of the locals.
An official of the Rural Development Department explained this by stating that it is not only about the number of days to work; it is also about enabling tribal families to be self-reliant. The long-term employment guarantee will help them to become more productive on their own land and minimize distress migration.
Experts feel that this program would be essential towards dealing with poverty and unemployment in rural areas in Jharkhand, where close to 26 per cent of individuals are in the category of Scheduled Tribes. It will increase food security and minimize economic inequality in the tribal regions of the country by providing them with another source of stable income that will sustain them.
The difficulty is, however, in good implementation. Most of the households in the state of Jharkhand are not even given the 100 days of employment due to the delays in the administration system, or even the absence of job opportunities or even when they are actually paid their wages. The civil society groups have been pressurizing the authorities to ensure that they allocate funds in time, transparently monitor and create awareness to ensure the eligible families take advantage of the 150-day provision.
When it is effectively implemented, the relocation would greatly empower the rural economy and provide an example of inclusive growth. This move is a step to dignity, stability and a safer living among the tribal communities of Jharkhand under one of the most ambitious social welfare programs in India.
