Explanation: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a social security measure introduced by the Government of India in 2005. It guarantees at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work. The primary objective of MGNREGA is to provide a legal guarantee for wage employment to the rural poor and to enhance the livelihood security of the rural poor by providing them with "work as a legal right."
However, some states have taken the initiative to extend the number of working days beyond the national standard of 100 days. Uttarakhand is one such state that has extended the working days under MGNREGA from 100 to 150 days. This policy change is aimed at providing more employment opportunities to the rural population in the state, thereby enhancing their livelihood security and addressing the issue of unemployment in rural areas.
The extension of working days under MGNREGA in Uttarakhand is a significant step towards ensuring that the rural population has access to more employment opportunities. This policy change is particularly important in a state like Uttarakhand, which has a significant rural population and where employment opportunities can be limited due to geographical and economic factors.
It is important to note that while Uttarakhand has extended the working days under MGNREGA, other states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu continue to adhere to the national standard of 100 days. Therefore, it is crucial for students to be aware of the specific state policies regarding MGNREGA and not assume that all states have extended the working days.
In conclusion, the correct answer is Uttarakhand, as it is the state that has extended the number of working days under MGNREGA from 100 to 150 days. This policy change reflects the state's commitment to providing more employment opportunities to its rural population and enhancing their livelihood security.