MGNREGA - GS questions based on daily current affairs

ANSWER: Geo-tagging assets created under MGNREGA

Explanation:

• A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Rural Development Ministry and ISRO, Department of Space for geo-tagging the assets created under MGNREGA in each gram panchayat.
• The move comes after the Prime Minister during a review meeting recently had underlined for online recording and monitoring of assets to check leakages and for effective mapping of terrain for future developmental works.
• Around 30 lakh assets are created annually across the country under the rural job scheme and the Ministry has decided that through convergence with other schemes, the geo-tagging of such assets will be done on a mission mode.
• Through Bhuvan Mobile Platform, completed asset will be Geo-tagged along with photograph by Gram Rozgar Sahayak or Junior Engineer.

ANSWER: MGNREGA

Explanation:

• According to the data presented in Parliament, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) payments (Rs.25,800 crore) made up to 42 per cent of total DBT schemes.
• 85 per cent of the MGNREGA payments made in 2015-16 were done directly into the beneficiary's bank accounts.
• The second largest head under which DBT transfers were made was the PAHAL scheme for the electronic transfer of LPG subsidies. The government transferred (Rs.21,400 crore) 35 per cent of the total amount transferred through DBT under the PAHAL Scheme.
• The Department of Higher Education (Rs.1,975 crore), Ministry of Minority Affairs (Rs.1,134 crore) and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (Rs.955 crore) were the other government agencies that made substantial payments using the DBT model.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

• The cost of unit assistance to be shared between Central and State Governments in the ratio 60:40 in plain areas and 90:10 for North Eastern and hilly states.
• The additional financial requirement will be met by borrowing through National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) which is to be amortised through budgetary allocations after 2022.
• Under the existing rural housing scheme (Indira Awaas Yojana), financial assistance of Rs. 70,000 in plains areas and Rs. 75,000 in hilly/difficult areas is provided.
• The beneficiary is entitled to 90 days of unskilled labour from MGNREGA. This will be ensured through a server linkage between PMAY and MGNREGA.
• Locally appropriate house designs, incorporating features to address the natural calamities common to the region will be made available to beneficiaries.

ANSWER: MGNREGA

Explanation:
The government has merged National Mission for a Green India, which aims afforestation at 10 million hectares of land over the next decade, with MGNREGA to increase and improve the country's forest cover.