Unemployment is a mortifying ordeal that the population of India has been facing. As per Centre For Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the statistics displayed a hike of 0.31% within a month between April and March. 2023 marks 76 years for our Independence, an ode and sigh for everything this nation has achieved and how far it has come in rebuilding itself from scratch of scarcity. However, some aspects of socio-economy are seemingly grave and have become a chronic issue, unemployment being one of them.
MGNREGA [Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act]
One of the first and most successful employment schemes launched by the Government of India was MGNREGA which is functioning and serving good results. The act was meant to provide 100 days of guaranteed employment in a financial year to adult family members within fifteen days of applying. The failure to provide employment was met with an assured wage for 100 days. Other act clauses assured security and relief for the unemployed populace needing work.
Rajasthan’s Minimum Income Bill
Drawing inspiration from the above act and Mahatma Gandhi, the Rajasthan government passed the Rajasthan Minimum Income Bill on July 18th. CM Ashoke Gehlot said in his speech, “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members,” quoting Mahatma Gandhi. The bill is a step by the government to relieve people in an inflation-struck economy.
Major Provisions
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Minimum Income
Every adult state citizen qualifies for a guaranteed minimum Income of 125 in a financial year. This would be carried forward in urban areas through Indira Gandhi Shahri Rozgar Guarantee Yojana Employment and in rural areas via Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act. The days of guaranteed employment have been raised from the former 100 days to 125 days now. A minimum pension of Rs. 1000 for all eligible people has also been introduced.
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Guaranteed Employment
The act implies the assurance of the payment of minimum wages either weekly or within a fortnight, not later. The government has also ensured the appointment of program officers responsible for implementing the act. A rank subordinate of Block Development Officer in rural areas and an Executive Officer in urban areas would be assigned. Besides implementation, the officer’s other responsibilities include ensuring the work site is within a radius of five kilometers of where the job card is registered. In case of failure of provision of employment to the applicant within 15 days, the applicant would be entitled to receive an employment allowance for those days every week or within a fortnight and not later than that.
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Social Security Pension
The government has also included provisions that guarantee social security for people unable to avail of the services. People who fall in the category of old age, specially-abled, widow, and single woman and qualify for the eligibility would be provided with a pension, which would rise in two installments. The increment would be five percent in July and ten percent in January within a financial year.
