Question : WAGES UNDER MGNREGA

(a) the details of the wages fixed under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in different States/UTs and the total number of job card holders registered under the scheme;

(b) the number of cases relating to delayed payment of wages reported under MGNREGS during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) the action taken by the Government for timely payment of wages to workers under the scheme and provisions made for compensation to workers for delayed payment of wages; and

(d) the number of cases relating to payment of less wages being paid to workers reported during each of the last three years and the current year along with the action taken by the Government thereon, State/UT-wise?

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

(a): The wage rate fixed for various States under Sub-section (1) of Section 6 of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) applicable from 01.04.2014 is given at Annexure-I. The total number of job card issued under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is given in Annexure-II.

(b): As per the Programme Management Information System (MIS), details of delayed payment to MGNREGA workers for last two years and current year are given in Annexure-III.

(c): In order to ensure timely payment wages, Rules have been issued for timely payment of wages under which, it was suggested that clear accountability shall be fixed on the functionaries for timely performance of specific duties leading to payment of wages. All cases of delayed payment attracts a compensation @ 0.05% per day of delay, which is automatically calculated and paid by the State Government, to be recovered later from the functionary concerned. The Ministry has also initiated Electronic Fund Management System (e-FMS) which directly and electronically credits the respective beneficiary accounts using the core banking system.

(d): The wages under MGNREGA are paid on a piece rate basis and not on attendance basis. The declared wage rate is used to fix the unit rates for each type of work. The actual wage payable is calculated based on the output of the worker.

The 267 representations relating to less/non-payment of wages have been received in the Ministry as on 31.10.2014, have been sent to the concerned State Governments for appropriate action keeping in view the above principle.