Question : Wage Arrears under MGNREGS

(a) whether any wage arrears remain to be paid in various States under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS);

(b) if so, the details of wage arrears and material liabilities thereof, State/UT-wise during the last three financial years and the current year;

(c) the reasons for the pendency/arrears;

(d) the details of additional funds released by the Ministry to pay the wage arrears under the scheme, State/UT-wise;

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure early clearance of these dues and the workers engaged in MGNREGS get timely payments across the country;

(f) whether any time frame has been fixed for implementation of an online monitoring system to monitor wage delays and if so, the details thereof; and

(g) whether the average number of man days provided under MGNREGS is approximately 45 days and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a): Yes, Madam. Funds to liquidate wage liabilities as on 31.03.2016 have been released to the States.

(b): The details of wage arrears and material liabilities State/UT-wise during the last three financial years and the current year is attached at Annexure-I.

(c): Timely release of funds to States led to increase to Person Days generation. 15 States crossed the agreed to Labour Budget for 2015-16. Proactive steps were taken by the Ministry and States towards registration of demand on ground and consequent execution of works.

(d): During the current financial year 2016-17, Ministry has released Rs.15984.09 crore to States/UTs for liquidating the pending liability of wage component of FY 2015-16 and for running the programme during FY 2016-17. State/UT wise release position is attached at Annexure-II.

(e)&(f): The latest initiatives taken by the Central Government are launching of National Electronic Fund Management System (NeFMS) in 11 States, launching of Dashboard for monitoring delays, Public Fund Management System, Electronic Fund Management System, Direct Benefit Transfer etc.

(g): State/UT-wise average number of man days provided under MGNREGS is attached at Annexure-III.


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