The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, popularly known as NREGA, was launched after the passage of the landmark Act of the same name in 2005. It is the largest such employment based anti-poverty programme in the world. As the name suggests, it guarantees gainful employment to people in rural areas. This work has to be provided on demand. If in peak season or in good times, plenty of work opportunities are available elsewhere, then no NREGA work needs to be provided. But in times of distress, such as during a drought, then the government is duty bound to provide up to 100 days of manual work to at least one member of every household which demands it. If the work cannot be provided, then an allowance has to be paid on a per day basis.