India is working on solving the poverty and unemployment in rural areas. One of the strategies is to issue the NREGA job cards for rural adults. This improves the income and living conditions of them. However, only the cardholder who applied for this job card can benefit from it.
If you have not got a job card and are ready to apply for it, read this article. We will share all the information about its eligibility, required documents, and processes. Just head to the details below.
What is an MGNREGA job card?
NREGA stands for National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, now also known as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which is issued by the Ministry of Rural Development. It is a program of the government that guarantees rural adults who want to be employed in 100 days of unskilled jobs per year, such as road building, tree planting, etc.
The card number consists of an 18-digit code by which the governors can track details about the worker. The cards also allow the authorities to assess the effectiveness of the scheme in addressing rural poverty. It is a vital document for these households under NREGA OR MGNREGA to work.
Eligibility for job card
If you are going to apply for an MGNREGA job card, make sure you are eligible for it.
- Over 18 years old.
- The applicant should be a citizen of India.
- The applicant should come from a rural household.
- The applicant is willing to do unskilled manual work.
- The applicant should not be employed in government service.
Required documents for job card
After making sure you are eligible for this card, ensure you have gathered all the required documents:
- Aadhar Card
- Ration Card
- Identification document
- Proof of residence
- Proof of income
- Caste Certificate
- Phone Number
- Bank Account Passbook
- Two passport-size Photo
- Land records (if applicable).
📣Read Also: How to Link PAN Card with Aadhaar Card?
How to apply for an MGNREGA job card?
Gather the required documents and then you can apply for an MGNREGA Job Card online and offline by following simple steps. Check the easy-to-follow guide here:
Apply offline:
Step 1. Visit the local Gram Panchayat. You can get an application form there.
Step 2. Fill in the application form.
Step 3. Submit the application form along with the required documents.
Step 4. Wait for the verification.
Step 5. Get the job card and activate it.
Apply online:
Step 1. Register on UMANG.
Step 2. Sign in to your account
Step 3. Search and select MGNREGA.
Step 4. Click the Apply for Job Card button.
Step 5. Fill in the application form.
Step 6. Once you are done, click Apply For Job Card to submit the application. You will get a reference number to track the application.
Step 7. Wait for the verification.
Step 8. Get the job card and activate it.
How to activate an MGNREGA job card?
Once your application is approved, you can get the job card, but you need to activate it. You can activate it online and offline.
- Online: You can visit the MGNREGA official page, find Job Card Activation, and follow the on-screen steps to complete the activation.
- Offline: You can also choose to visit the Gram Panchayat. Just bring your documents, and the officer will help you to activate the job card. You may need to fill out a form and register your biometric fingerprints or iris scan.
How to track job card status?
If you’re wondering where you’re at with your application, follow this guide:
Step 1. Visit the MGNREGA official page.
Step 2. Click on the Track Job Car Status button.
Step 3. Enter the reference number you get when submitting the application.
Step 4. Check the status.
Benefits of NREGA job card
The MGNREGA job card is useful for economic improvement in rural regions, bringing several benefits to rural residents:
- Right to work: The most important benefit is that it ensures the legal right to work for rural adults. Every rural adult in a household willing to perform unskilled manual labor has the right to work at least 100 days in a financial year.
- Livelihood Security: The MGNREGA job card helps rural families gain access to a key economic source of livelihood. It ensures their income.
- Benefits for the Marginalized Rural People: By providing marginalized groups the equal opportunity to work, it empowers them, including women (it mandates that at least one-third of beneficiaries are women), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
- Increased transparency: Wages are transferred directly into workers’ bank or post office accounts, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring policy transparency.
- Skills Upgrading: Although the MGNREGA job offers unskilled jobs, 6% of the total budget is allocated to training and skills upgrading of the rural labor force.
FAQ
Can you get a Duplicate Job Card if you lose the first one?
Yes, if you have lost your MGNREGA job card, you can apply for another one. You need to inform the local Panchayat about the loss and then submit the application. The authority will process your application and issue a duplicate job card after verification. It is important to keep the job card safe as it is an important document for availing benefits under the MGNREGA scheme.
How long does the Job Card registration last?
The registration is valid for 5 years. It can be renewed.
Conclusion
NREGA or MGNREGA job cards are crucial documents for rural areas. It is a transformative tool that helps immensely uplift and increase rural families’ income. With the above information, we hope you can accurately grasp its significance, apply for it in time, and enjoy the benefits it brings to ensure economic growth and, at the same time, good development for rural areas.
Erin Lo