The MNREGA Job Card Scheme is Back in Focus
The MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme, which was first launched in 2005 under the UPA government, was a widely acclaimed program. After a period of reduced focus, the government is now reviving the initiative, putting a renewed emphasis on the rural population. As a result, the process of creating MNREGA Job Cards, which had stopped, has now restarted.
Special Drive from November 11 to 18
A special campaign to create these job cards is being conducted. This drive will run continuously for seven days, from November 11 to November 18. This information was confirmed to be genuine after being published in print media and subsequently verified at the block level and by the arrival of teams in local villages. If you wish to get a job card, you must do so within this period, as the next opportunity may not come for another six months to a year.
How and Where to Apply
Teams will be visiting villages across the country to create the job cards. Applications will be processed either door-to-door or at a designated public location in your village, such as a community hall (chaupal), a school, or the residence of the village head (Sarpanch/Pradhan). This eight-day campaign is a nationwide initiative directed by the central government, with orders sent to all state headquarters to facilitate the process.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can and Cannot Get a Job Card
Not everyone is eligible for an MNREGA Job Card. The following individuals cannot apply:
- Large businessmen
- Government employees
- Individuals who pay income tax
- Owners of four-wheeled vehicles
- Anyone earning more than ₹15,000 per month
Everyone else is eligible to have a card made.
Documents Needed for Application
The application process is simple and requires only two documents:
- Aadhaar Card
- A bank account for payment transfers.
The job card will be created on the spot once these documents are provided.
Campaign Objectives: Verification, Deletion, and New Registration
This special drive, managed by the Rural Development Department, has multiple objectives. In addition to issuing new job cards to interested families, the campaign will also:
- Verify active workers.
- Identify and delete the job cards of individuals who are deceased or have permanently moved out of the village.
- Delete cards of those who are no longer eligible for the scheme due to an improved financial status.
- Resolve issues for workers whose Aadhaar verification has previously failed, allowing their cards to be reactivated.
Employment and Payments
The MNREGA Job Card guarantees a minimum of 100 days of rural employment through the panchayat. Monthly earnings can vary by state, with some offering around ₹8,250 and others up to ₹10,000.
It is mandatory for the bank account to be linked for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through the NPCI portal. This system, also known as Aadhaar Seeding, ensures that money is transferred directly into the beneficiary’s account without middlemen. While this is designed to eliminate corruption, the transcript notes that sometimes a “half-half” arrangement is made where the cardholder does no work and splits the payment with the village head. However, those who actually work receive their full payment.
What to Do if You Miss the Visit
If the team does not visit your village during the campaign or if you miss them, you should visit your block office. You can speak with the Gram Vikas Adhikari (Village Development Officer) to inquire about the next visit or request that your job card be created at the office itself. This is an important opportunity to get your card made.
