Amendment to MNREGA for Water Conservation
The Centre has amended Schedule-I of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), 2005, to mandate a minimum expenditure on water conservation and harvesting works in rural blocks.
Notification Details
- The amendment specifies spending based on groundwater extraction stages, as per a notification issued by the Ministry of Rural Development.
- The initiative was influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expectations to focus on water conservation under MNREGA.
Financial Implications
- Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil stated that approximately Rs 35,000 crore will be allocated for water-related works under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).
Groundwater Extraction Categories and Expenditure Requirements
- Over-exploited and Critical Blocks
- Blocks with groundwater extraction over 90-100% are deemed critical, and those over 100% are over-exploited.
- A minimum of 65% of NREGS works cost should be for water conservation and related activities.
- Semi-critical Blocks
- Groundwater extraction between 70% and 90%.
- Minimum of 40% of NREGS expenditure to be on water-related works.
- Safe Blocks
- Extraction levels equal to or less than 70%.
- Minimum of 30% of funds for water conservation efforts.
Current Groundwater Status
- According to the CGWB's National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2024:
- 11.13% of blocks are over-exploited.
- 3.05% are critical.
- 10.54% are semi-critical.
- 73.39% are safe.
