The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), also known as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), was passed in September 2005. It is a landmark legislation aimed at providing guaranteed employment to rural households in India.

The Act was enacted as a response to the widespread poverty and unemployment prevalent in rural areas. It is designed to enhance livelihood security, promote rural development, and address the issue of unemployment by providing a legal guarantee of 100 days of employment in a financial year to every rural household.

Objectives of NREGA
The key objectives of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act are as follows:

1. Providing livelihood security: The Act aims to provide a safety net to rural households by offering them employment opportunities and wages.

2. Strengthening the rural economy: It intends to generate productive assets and improve rural infrastructure, thereby promoting economic growth in rural areas.

3. Reducing migration: By providing employment opportunities locally, the Act aims to curb distress migration of rural workers to urban areas.

4. Empowering women: The Act recognizes the important role played by women in rural development and ensures that at least one-third of the beneficiaries are women.

5. Promoting sustainable development: The Act encourages the execution of projects that promote environmental sustainability and natural resource management.

Key features of NREGA
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has several key features:

1. Legal guarantee: The Act provides a legal guarantee of 100 days of employment to every rural household.

2. Demand-driven scheme: NREGA is a demand-driven scheme, meaning that employment is provided based on the demand for work.

3. Unemployment allowance: If employment is not provided within 15 days of submitting an application, the Act mandates the payment of an unemployment allowance.

4. Equal wages for men and women: NREGA ensures that men and women receive equal wages for the same work.

5. Social audit: The Act mandates regular social audits to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of projects.

Conclusion
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was passed in September 2005 to address the issue of rural poverty and unemployment in India. It provides a legal guarantee of 100 days of employment to rural households and aims to promote livelihood security, rural development, and sustainable growth. The Act has been instrumental in empowering rural communities and improving their overall well-being.

When was the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act passed?
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was passed on September 2005.
Here is a breakdown of the key points regarding the passage of NREGA:
Background:
- The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is a social security measure that guarantees the right to work for rural households in India.
- It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
Passage of NREGA:
- The NREGA was passed on September 2005 by the Parliament of India.
- It was officially notified on August 23, 2005.
- The Act was implemented in a phased manner, with different states and districts being covered over time.
- It has been renamed as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2009.
Key Features of NREGA:
- The Act guarantees the right to work and ensures timely payment of wages to the workers.
- It provides employment opportunities within 5 kilometers of the worker's residence.
- The Act prioritizes the participation of women in the workforce and ensures at least one-third of the beneficiaries are women.
- It promotes sustainable development through the creation of durable assets like water conservation structures, rural connectivity, and afforestation.
Overall, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was passed in September 2005 as a significant step towards providing employment opportunities and improving livelihood security in rural areas of India.