Question

What is the National food for Work Programme (NFWP)?

Answer 1

Hint: The National Food for Work Programme, identified by the Planning Commission in coordination with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State Governments, was launched on 14 November 2004 in 150 of the most backward districts of the country.

Complete answer:
The aim of the National food for Work Programme is to provide additional services to the 150 most deprived districts of the country, except for the resources available under the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), in order to further intensify the generation of supplementary wage jobs and the provision of food security by developing economic, social and community assets dependent on need in these districts.

The scheme was funded 100% locally. Since then, the software has been replaced by NREGA, which has entered into operation in 200 of the country's districts listed, including 150 NFWP districts. The Act provides any rural household whose members volunteer to do unskilled manual labour with a 100-day guarantee of work.

Permissible works include water conservation; dryness management (including forestation and tree planting) and land growth, flood control/protection (including irrigation of logged water areas); all-weather rural road connectivity. Many related works may be done as well.
A monitoring committee composed of 5-9 nominated representatives, including at least one SC/ST nominee and a female representative, will be formed for each job. The appointment of the members of the committee must be achieved through the Grama Sabha. A job will not begin until the oversight committee has been created. The oversight committee is also expected to submit its report along with the certificate of completion.

Note: Monthly, quarterly and annual reports have to be compiled and forwarded by each district to the state government. Based on agricultural production per worker, agricultural wage rate and SC/ST population, the planning commission has listed the 150 most backward districts. In 27 states, these districts have been established.