09/7/2020 : The Hindu Editorial Notes or Summary
Source- The Hindu Newspaper
Topic- A CASE FOR EXTENSION
QUESTION: Now a days youngest a worker rise can be seen in MGNAREGA. Give important details about the driving force attracting them into this field and challenges before generations to come.
WHAT ?
- The extension of the MGNREGS.
WHY IN NEWS?
- In nearly two-thirds of the States, demand for MGNREGS work has doubled or even tripled in a number of districts compared to the previous year.
- Most of the work has been subscribed to in just the last two months (May-June 2020).
SIGN OF RELIEF:
- With the COVID-19 pandemic and migrant labourers losing jobs in urban areas and returning to their rural homes to avoid destitution, the scheme has come as a huge relief to poor families.
- The government’s decision to extend it into the monsoon season has also benefited households.
- Data from this year show that in nearly two-thirds of the States, demand for MGNREGS work has doubled or even tripled in a number of districts compared to the previous year.
- But with some States resorting to their own shutdowns to curtail the spread of COVID-19, the prospects of a robust economic recovery that would benefit those engaged in casual labour and daily wage-labour remain dim(weak).
- The fairly good monsoon this season should help with providing for more agricultural jobs beyond the MGNREGS works as well.
- The surging rate of demand for work suggests that it is time government thought about extending the limit.
- This makes an extension of the limit of work days under the MGNREGS even more important.
Concerns:
- total 4.6 crore households have benefited from MGNREGS in 2020, around 8.4 lakh poor households have completed at least 80 days of the 100-day limit for work under the MGNREGS and 1.4 lakh among those have completed the full quota.
- Robust economic recovery that would benefit those engaged in casual labour and daily wage-labour remain dim
- There is the threat of unemployment in the absence of government work programmes like MGNREGS.
- fairly good monsoon this season should help with providing for more agricultural jobs , the excess supply of labour owing to reverse migration from the cities could depress rural wages.
ABOUT MGNREGA:
- The scheme was introduced as a social measure that guarantees “the right to work”. The key tenet of this social measure and labour law is that the local government will have to legally provide at least 100 days of wage employment in rural India to enhance their quality of life.
KEY OBJECTIVES:
- Generation of paid rural employment of not less than 100 days for each worker who volunteers for unskilled labour.
- Proactively ensuring social inclusion by strengthening livelihood base of rural poor.
- Creation of durable assets in rural areas such as wells, ponds, roads and canals.
- Reduce urban migration from rural areas.
- Create rural infrastructure by using untapped rural labour.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 :
- The Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members (at least 18 years of age) volunteer to do unskilled work.
- The central government bears the full cost of unskilled labour, and 75% of the cost of material (the rest is borne by the states).
- It is a demand-driven, social security and labour law that aims to enforce the ‘right to work’.
- Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Government of India in association with state governments, monitors the implementation of the scheme.
WAY FORWARD:
- The increasing rate of demand of work under this scheme a good sign for those who are migrating for other places.
- An extension of the 100-day limit and comprehensive implementation of the scheme in rural areas could be a much-needed step under the current circumstances and could also lead to the following benefits.
- Apart from ensuring a source of livelihood for the jobless, it would also help lift the rural wages.
- Although MGNAREGA is doing well but an effective implementation on ground level is need of the hour.
SOURCE – PIB
Topic- AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING COMPLEXES (ARHCs)
QUESTION: Urban or slum migrants face many problems at the time of Covid -19 like pandemics . Critically analyses their situation and write about some steps taken by govt.in this direction.
WHAT?
- ARHCs for Urban migrants or poor.
WHY IN NEWS?
- The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, has given its approval for developing of Affordable Rental Housing Complexes to about 3 lakhs for urban migrants or poor as a sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY – U).
BACKGROUND :
- COVID-19 has resulted in massive reverse migration of workers or urban poor in the country who come from rural areas or small towns seeking better employment opportunities in urban areas.
- these migrants live in slums, informal or unauthorized colonies or peri-urban areas to save rental charges.
- The creation of Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) is as a part of the government’s economic package to address the Covid-19 crisis. The scheme is in line with the vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
PMAY- URBAN :
- It was in 2015 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in which affordable housing will be provided to the urban poor with a target of building 20 million affordable houses by 31st March 2022.
- It provides central assistance to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and other implementing agencies through States/UTs.
- Eligibility: All statutory towns as per Census 2011 and towns notified subsequently would be eligible for coverage under the Mission.
PROVISIONS:
- In-situ Rehabilitation of existing slum dwellers using land as a resource through private participation.
- Credit Linked Subsidy.
- Affordable Housing in Partnership.
- Subsidy for Beneficiary-led individual house construction/enhancement.
- The mission promotes women empowerment by providing the ownership of houses in the name of female members or in joint name.
SIGNIFICANCE :
- ARHCs will create a new ecosystem in urban areas making housing available at affordable rent close to the place of work.
- Investment under ARHCs is expected to create new job opportunities.
- ARHCs will cut down unnecessary travel, congestion and pollution.
- Government funded vacant housing stock will be converted into ARHCs for economically productive use.
- The scheme would create a conducive environment for Entities to develop AHRCs on their own vacant land which would enable new investment opportunities and promote entrepreneurship in the rental housing sector.
- This scheme seeks to fulfill the vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
IMPORTANT POINTS :
- Target Beneficiaries: Workers who come from rural areas or towns to work in manufacturing, hospitality, health, construction, etc.
Features:
- Affordable Rental Housing: About 1.03 lakh completed government-funded houses across cities that are yet to be allotted to beneficiaries (Urban poor) under existing schemes would be converted into the rental housing complexes.
- Concession Agreements: The conversion will be done through concession agreements for 25 years.
- The States and Union Territories would invite bids to select concessionaires.
- Concessionaires will make the complexes livable by repair/retrofit and maintenance of rooms and filling up infrastructure gaps like water, sewer/ septage, sanitation, road etc.
- Complexes will revert to URBAN LOCAL BODIES after 25 years to run on their own.
CONCLUSION:
- ARHCs will create a new ecosystem in urban areas, making housing available at affordable rent [for migrants] close to their places of work and will cut down unnecessary travel, congestion and pollution.
- Investment on ARHCs is expected to create new job opportunities. Government-funded vacant housing stock will be converted into ARHCs for economically productive use.
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