The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, is a social security measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work' and enhance livelihood security in rural areas.
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Act mandates the provision of at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. While the central government can notify an increase in days (e.g., up to 150 days) in drought-affected areas or for specific tribal groups, the core statutory guarantee for "every household" is 100 days, not 150.
Statement 2 is Correct: The Act mandates that priority shall be given to women. Specifically, at least one-third of the beneficiaries shall be women who have registered and requested work under the scheme.
Statement 3 is Correct: A significant objective of the Act is to create durable assets and strengthen the livelihood resource base of the rural poor. The permissible works focus heavily on natural resource management, such as water conservation, water harvesting, drought proofing, and afforestation, thereby addressing causes of chronic poverty like drought, deforestation, and soil erosion.
Key Takeaway: MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of unskilled wage employment to rural households, mandates 33% reservation for women, and focuses on creating durable assets related to water conservation and agriculture.