New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 92 at AIIMS, Delhi, is widely credited with liberalizing the Indian economy.
While his reforms in this area remain the hallmark of his tenure, several other significant legislations passed under his leadership have had a lasting impact on India’s development.
Dr. Singh’s contributions to India’s social welfare and economic framework were not only about economic liberalization. Some of the landmark laws introduced during his tenure continue to shape the country’s social and economic policies. Let’s take a look at some of the most important legislations from his time in office.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
In 2005, just a year after assuming office, Singh’s government introduced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This historic move aimed to address the high unemployment and poverty levels in rural India, particularly among marginalized groups. MGNREGA guarantees at least 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households whose members are willing to work in unskilled manual labor. Over the years, this initiative has become a cornerstone of India’s social welfare policies.
Right to Education (RTE) Act
Singh’s government continued the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, initiated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and introduced the Right to Education (RTE) Act in 2009. This crucial legislation made education free and compulsory for children between the ages of six and 14, ensuring that millions of children across India could access education. The RTE Act was later expanded in 2011 to include children up to 18 years, covering students until Class X. This initiative helped lay the foundation for improving educational access in India.
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
In 2005, Singh’s government also launched the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), a program aimed at improving healthcare services in underserved rural areas. While it wasn’t an act in the formal sense, the NRHM played a critical role in expanding healthcare infrastructure and access to essential services for rural populations.
Right to Information (RTI) Act
Another defining piece of legislation passed under Singh’s leadership was the Right to Information (RTI) Act, also enacted in 2005.