The MNREGA programme, which was launched just before the last Lok Sabha polls in 2009, had benefitted Congress electorally.
The scheme, in which half of the beneficiaries are women, roughly reaches to every fifth household in the rural areas.
The scheme is in operation in 632 districts in the country, according to official data.
In 2012-13, it provided employment to more than 4.8 crore households generating more than 213 crore person days of employment at a total expenditure of more than 39,000 crore.
The average wage rate per day has gone up to Rs 128 crore in 2012-13 from Rs 65 in 2006-07.
The objective of MGNREGA is aimed at enhancing livelihood security of the rural households for creating durable assets and discourage migration.
The focus of the scheme is on water conservation, water harvesting, drought proofing, land development, flood control and rural connectivity among others. The scope of the scheme has also been extended from time to time.
