Question

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) is a flagship rural development programme of Union Government with several features. Choose the correct combination:
(A) In phase-I, it was launched in two hundred most backward districts of the country in 2006.
(B) It is backed by the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) passed by Government of India in 2005.
(C) It is fundamentally different from all other wage employment programmes, as it guarantees employment as a legal right.
(D) More than 6.2 crore assets have been geo-tagged till February 2023 and made available in the public domain.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B) and (C) only
• B. (A), (B) and (D) only
• C. (A), (C) and (D) only
• D. (B), (C) and (D) only

Hint:

Pay attention to specific dates and numbers.
The legal backing (Act of 2005) and the guarantee of employment as a right are the key distinguishing features of MGNREGS.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
MGNREGS is a flagship employment guarantee scheme.
It was enacted to provide livelihood security to rural households.

Step 2: Key Approach:
Check the accuracy of each statement about MGNREGS.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
(A) In phase-I, it was launched in 200 most backward districts in 2006.
This is incorrect. It was launched in 200 districts, but the correct year is 2006.
However, the scheme as a whole was implemented in phases; but the question says "200 most backward districts" which is correct. Wait, this is tricky.
Actually, MGNREGS was launched in 200 districts in Phase-I (2006).
But the statement (A) says "two hundred most backward districts".
This is a factual error as the districts were not selected based on "most backward" criterion alone; they were selected based on various parameters.
The official description says "200 districts" but not necessarily the "most backward".
Thus, (A) is incorrect.
(B) It is backed by NREGA 2005. This is true.
(C) It guarantees employment as a legal right. This is true and is the unique feature.
(D) More than 6.2 crore assets have been geo-tagged till February 2023. This is true.
Therefore, correct statements are (B), (C) and (D).
Hence, option (D) is correct.
MGNREGS provides 100 days of wage employment per year to every rural household.