Question : Pendency of Fund Transfer Orders under MGNREGS

(a) whether wage payments worth Rs. 3,066 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have been frozen in 19 States in the country according to various studies;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State-wise;

(c) whether there was 100 per cent pendency of fund transfer orders in 19 States and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether discrepancies in MGNREGS Management Information System leads to capturing of only the delays in the processes to be completed within States and avoiding those delays that are to be completed by the Centre or the payment agencies; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken/proposed to be taken thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)


(a)&(b): No Madam. There is no freeze on payment of wages to MGNREGS workers. The Ministry is not aware about any such study describing freezing of Rs.3066 crore wage payments. The fund flow is better in the current financial year as compared to corresponding period in previous years to the States/ UTs. An analysis of the fund release is given at Annexure.

(c): No Madam.

(d)&(e): The provisions of para 29 (1) (b) of Schedule-II, clearly states that “ For the purpose of ensuring accountability in payment of wages and to calculate culpability of various functionaries or agencies, the State shall divide the processes leading to determination and payment of wages into various stages such as –

i. measurement of work;

ii. computerising the muster rolls;

iii. computerising of measurements;

iv. generation of wage lists; and

v. uploading of Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs),
and specify stage wise maximum time limits along with the functionary or agency which is responsible for discharging the specific function.

Further, the State Governments make the payment of compensation upfront after due verification, to be recovered from the functionaries or agencies responsible for the delay in payment. The Ministry is taking all steps to improve the situation of timely payment of wages to reduce the burden of compensation. So far, compensation amounting to Rs. 77.89 crore has been paid by States/UTs.

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