Question : RELEASE OF FUNDS UNDER MGNREGS

(a) whether various State Governments have demanded release of funds to make payment of wages to workers registered under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS);

(b) if so, the details of the funds likely to be released by the Government to the various States in the country and the reasons for the delay;

(c) whether the various State Governments are finding it difficult to implement several projects under the MGNREGS due to delayed release of funds by the Union Government; and

(d) if so, the remedial measures proposed to be taken by the Union Government thereon ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) to (d) Due to financial limits imposed under the Vote on Account 2014-15 of the Central Government, the 1st tranche of Central share of Programme funds could not be released in full to States/UTs as per their entitlements under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) during the Financial Year (FY) 2014-15. State/UT-wise funds released during the FY 2014-15 is at Annexure. Once the full budget is made available to the Ministry, further funds would be released to the States/UTs on the basis of agreed to labour demand and utilization of available Programme funds.