Question : Fund Crunch in MGNREGS

(a) whether the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is facing a severe fund crunch and faces difficulties in meeting the demand for work and paying wages on time;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether 250 law-makers and activists have written to the Prime Minister raising concerns over implementation of the MGNREGS;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;

(e) whether there is urgent need for strengthening of MGNREGS amid a situation of distress across rural India with massive unemployment and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve the living conditions of rural workers across the country?

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

(a)& (b): The Ministry releases funds to the State/UT based on the basis of the agreed to Labour Budget, opening balance, pending liabilities of the previous year for the financial year, if any, and overall performance. Fund release to States/UTs is a continuous process and Central Government is committed in making funds available keeping in view the demand for work. During FY 2018-19 (as on 04.02.2019), Rs 55,687.47 crore has been released under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to States/UTs. The Ministry seeks additional amount for MGNREGA as and when required for meeting the demand for work on the ground.

(c)& (d): Ministry of Rural Development has been received various representation/ references regarding implementation of the MGNREGS from Prime Minister’s Office. Since the responsibility of implementation of MGNREGA is vested with the State Governments, all representation/ references are forwarded to the concerned State Governments for taking appropriate action including investigation, as per law.

(e)& (f): The Government has taken steps to strengthen implementation of MGNREGA from time to time. These include:-

(i) Implementation of National electronic Fund Management System (Ne-FMS) and focus on Aadhaar Based Payment system, streamlining fund flow mechanism, and monitoring of timely payment of wages to workers.

(ii) Training of Barefoot Technicians, capacity building of MGNREGA functionaries such as State Technical Resource Team / District Technical Resource Team / Block Technical Resource Team on Mission Water Conservation works, training on Geo-MGNREGA, training to Finance officers of States on preparation of fund proposals etc.

(iii) Framework for strengthening of monitoring mechanism developed and advisories issued for inspection of MGNREGA works by State, District and Block level officials and National Level Monitors.

(iv) The Ministry has initiated Job Cards (JCs) verification of MGNREGA workers to weed out the bogus and duplicates JCs.

(v) Auditing Standards have been issued and States have been advised to establish independent Social Audit Units, conduct Social Audit as per Audit of Scheme Rules, training of Village Resource Persons for conducting Social Audit etc.

(vi) A path breaking initiative for improved planning, effective monitoring and greater transparency with the use space technology for geo-tagging of MGNREGA assets has also been launched.


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