Water hyacinth removal not permissible under MGNREGA, says Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has informed that the removal of water hyacinth, a perennial aquatic weed that infests waterbodies, cannot be included in the list of permissible works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Earlier, Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, had written to the Minister, requesting that the removal of water hyacinth from waterbodies in the Kuttanad region in Kerala be included as a permissible activity under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). In response, Mr. Chouhan cited legal constraints. He said that water hyacinth removal was not permissible under MGNREGA as per existing guidelines.
'I have got the matter examined by the Ministry. As per Schedule 1, Para 4(3) of the MGNREGA Act, 2005, works which are non-tangible, not measurable and repetitive, such as removing grass, pebbles, and agricultural operations, shall not be taken up. As the removal of water hyacinth from waterbodies is similar in nature to the types of work outlined in Schedule 1 Para 4(3), it cannot be included in the permissible work list under MGNREGS,' Mr. Chouhan said.
Mr. Suresh expressed disappointment over the Ministry's interpretation and response. 'Water hyacinth has become a serious ecological and livelihood challenge in Kuttanad. It affects farmers and fishermen and severely disrupts inland water navigation. It poses a major threat to agriculture and public health. Denying employment opportunities for removing this menace under MGNREGA is a grave injustice to rural communities,' the Mavelikara MP said.
He urged the Centre to reconsider the guidelines and adopt a region-specific approach that would allow the inclusion of ecosystem restoration activities such as water hyacinth removal. 'Manual removal of aquatic weed could provide sustainable employment to thousands of rural workers and help protect the fragile ecosystem of Kuttanad,' Mr. Suresh added.
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