Senior BJP leader L K Advani has said that Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has helped empower rural people and revive economic growth.

Mr. Advani said, the scheme is the largest cash for work programme in the world and responds to the needs of 53 million poor rural households by ensuring 100 days employment to them per year with at least 50 per cent of the work reserved for women.

During his address on 'Social Development' at the General Debate in the Third Committee at the 67th session of the UN General Assembly yesterday, Mr. Advani said, MGNREGA has helped break down social inequalities, empower rural people, build up rural infrastructure and revive economic growth.

Mr. Advani is part of a group of visiting Indian Parliamentarians who will be participating in various sessions of the General Assembly.

He listed efforts made by India to help women and vulnerable groups, particularly in rural areas, initiatives in the field of education, health interventions and programmes to assist persons with disabilities.

MGNREGA, enacted in August 2005, is a flagship programme launched by the UPA government.