Joint convergence guideline: NREGA and Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), notified on September 7, 2005, marked a paradigm shift from the previous waste employment programmes with its rights-based approach that makes the Government legally accountable for providing employment to those who demand it. Convergence is an evolving process and while broad principles can be laid out at the Centre, the actual contours of convergence will be determined by the resources at the Central, State, District and the project level. Under NREGA almost all the activities required for watershed development are permitted. Convergence between NREGA and Watershed Programmes of Department of Land Resources will be mutually beneficial for rainfed areas.