Women break new ground in MGNREGS Women’s participation in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has increased to a 10 year high in the financial year 2022-23. According to the latest statistics available with the Union Rural Development Ministry 57.8% of the workers who used the scheme in 2022 were women which is their highest level of participation since 2012-13. For the past five years, in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, women’s share in the MGNREGS workforce has been hovering between 85% and 90%. Women’s participation increased due to two factors - market forces and welfare incentives for women MGNREGS workers. The growth spike was higher in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The proportion of women workers in Bihar grew 3.7 percentage points this year, while U.P. saw a 3.3 percentage point hike. About MGNREGA Launched on August 25, 2005. The MGNREGA provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment to adult members of any rural household willing to do unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage. Implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD). Aims to improve the purchasing power of the rural people, primarily semi or unskilled work to people living below poverty line in rural India. The employment will be provided within a radius of 5 km: if it is above 5 km extra wage will be paid. Defence, National Security and Terrorism K9-Vajra The Defence Ministry has started the process for the procurement of 100 more K9-Vajra tracked self-propelled howitzers. They are manufactured in India by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) using technology transferred from South Korean defence major Hanwha Defense. The induction of Dhanush, K-9 Vajra and M777 Ultra Light Howitzers has enhanced the reach of artillery firepower on the northern borders. About K9-Vajra: It is a 155 mm, 52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer.…
