An operational guideline suggested for a radically improved version of MNREGA calls for "urgent measures" to convert the rural job scheme into a productivity-enhancing instrument, particularly in the agriculture sector.

Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh, who unveiled the new guideline prepared by a committee headed by planning commission member Mihir Shah, however, rejected agriculture minister Sharad Pawar's demand that at least three months should be considered as an off-duration for MNREGA so that agriculture labourers are available for farming.

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The revised Operational Guidelines for what has been termed as MNREGA 2.0 suggests the strengthening of the synergy between the job scheme and rural livelihoods especially agriculture and allied sectors, and respond to demands of the states for greater location-specific flexibility in permissible works.

It says MNREGA programme should be utilised to improve the ecological balance in rural India and to provide a cleaner, healthier environment to its people.

Rejecting Pawar's demand, Ramesh said the average person-days of work generated under the programme never exceeded 54 days per household and the month-wise employment data under MNREGA during FY 2010-11 has indicated that "it is in the lean agriculture season (January-June), that around 70 percent of person-days of work were generated".

"An analysis of the quantum of MNREGA works provided across the year indicates a powerful seasonal fluctuation, with a disproportionately higher share of works being done during the off-season in agriculture," he said.

Ramesh said the need of the hour is to allow the largest possible number of works which help strengthen the synergy between MNREGA and agriculture without compromising on the fundamental features of the Act or its architecture.

Acknowledging the fact that a large proportion of MNREGA workers are small and marginal farmers, the Minister said the productivity of these lands has been so decimated over the years that they have been compelled to work under the scheme.

"The real success of MNREGA will lie in raising the agriculture productivity of millions of these farmers who will then be able to return once again to farming and will no longer need to depend on MNREGA for their survival," he said.

Ramesh said the new guidelines for the MNRGEA-2.0 to be implemented from April was prepared after consulting the state governments which gave valuable suggestions to address the shortcomings found in the programme.

"Broadly, I would say that we are not going for any change in the law but the guidelines, rules and schedule of works would be changed. That means we will not be required to go back to Parliament as there will not be any change in the law," he said.

So far around 70 percent expenditure in MNREGA has been in the field of water, but several apprehensions have been raised and the Agriculture Minister also said on several occasions that MNREGA should give more impetus to the agri-products, he said.

"I think the suggestions especially for the field of agriculture, to increase the agri-productivity and to increase the potential of productivity in agriculture is given importance." Ramesh said.