How to kill MNREGA in three easy steps? Just follow these govt's 'tricks', says Jairam Ramesh
'Three easy steps to kill MNREGA'
Live Events
"What needs to be done instead"
Raise daily wages to ₹400 to account for inflation and ensure basic livelihood security. Scrap the mandatory Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS), which he said creates unnecessary delays and exclusions. Ensure timely wage payments within the statutory 15-day limit, and compensate workers in case of delays.
The govt's new rulebook
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Centre, reacting to a report by The Indian Express that revealed a significant policy shift in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS).The report stated that, for the first time, the central government has capped expenditure under MNREGA at 60% of its total annual budget for the first half of the financial year 2025–26.Ramesh described the development as part of a deliberate "three-step formula" to systematically dismantle the rural employment scheme, which has served as a lifeline for millions of vulnerable households across India.Referring to the Indian Express report , Ramesh outlined what he termed a calculated plan by the government to phase out the demand-driven scheme:Step 1: Starve MNREGA of funds over the years, resulting in stagnant wages and a growing backlog of pending payments, which now stands at a staggering ₹21,000 crore at the beginning of FY 2025–26.Step 2: Impose the Finance Ministry's Monthly/Quarterly Expenditure Plan (MEP/QEP) on MNREGA, restricting ministries to spend only 60% of the total annual allocation in the first six months—thus undermining the flexible, demand-based nature of the programme.Step 3: With no funds left after clearing backlogs, bring work allocation under the scheme to a near halt, denying rural households their legal right to employment.Ramesh warned that the first two steps have already been executed, and the third is "now going to come out soon," which he said would mark the effective end of the scheme in practice.In response, the Congress leader laid out a list of corrective measures to safeguard and strengthen MNREGA:"Instead of fixing what's broken, the government seems to be dismantling the only safety net millions depend on," Ramesh said, accusing the Modi government of prioritizing fiscal optics over rural welfare.According to the report, the Ministry of Finance has, for the first time, included MNREGA under its MEP/QEP framework — a cash flow management tool introduced in 2017.The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), which had previously resisted such constraints citing the scheme's demand-driven nature, reportedly submitted its quarterly expenditure plan as directed, only to be denied permission to exceed the 60% threshold in the first half of FY 2025–26.This move, experts say, will likely slow down work allocations and further delay wage payments, especially during peak agricultural lean seasons when demand for rural jobs typically surges.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
36 minutes ago
- United News of India
Kharge seeks SC-monitored probe into Air India crash
Kalaburagi, June 12 (UNI) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday expressed deep grief over the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad and urged the Union Government to expedite relief efforts while demanding a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the tragedy. Addressing the media, Kharge said, "To those in London, I wish to convey that the Indian Embassy is present and actively working on the ground. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident." Calling for swift governmental response, Kharge stressed that the survivors, the injured, hostel students, and the affected local population must be provided immediate financial and medical assistance. "Every person impacted by this tragedy must receive full support — emotional, financial, and medical," he said. The Congress chief also appealed to all NGOs and party leaders to extend their support in managing the aftermath of the crash. "This is a time to come together and provide help in any way possible," he noted. Kharge emphasised the need for a thorough investigation to identify the cause of the accident. "Whether the fault lies with the pilot, or with those issuing instructions, or if anyone was under pressure to operate the flight — all facts must be brought to light," he said. He further demanded that the inquiry be conducted either by a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court to ensure credibility and transparency. "We urge the government to speed up the process and uncover the truth," Kharge added. UNI BDN GNK
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Robert Vadra ready to appear before ED, no intention to avoid summons: Lawyer
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra 's husband Robert Vadra has no intention of avoiding summons and is ready to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) anytime before or after his travel abroad later this month, his lawyer Suman Khaitan said on assertion came two days after Vadra failed to appear before the ED after he skipped the agency's summons on June 10 for questioning in a money laundering case linked to UK-based alleged arms consultant Sanjay the Wayanad MP's husband, was summoned by the probe agency to record his statement in the case on June 10 but could not appear as he had flu-like symptoms on June 9 and undertook a COVID test according to the health protocol, his lawyer said Vadra was ready to record his statement virtually but the agency did not accept the plea and wanted his physical presence to do the needful."My client Robert Vadra has been made aware of certain media reports that erroneously suggest that my Client has been avoiding ED summons. My client would like to bring the true facts to your attention and would like to state unequivocally that such media reports are completely untrue."Vadra has complied with all the ED summons, demands for information and documentation for the last ten years. He has repeatedly affirmed and demonstrated his full cooperation with the authorities and will continue his full cooperation as a law-abiding citizen of India," Khaitan said in a said Vadra received a summons to appear before the ED on June 10 in respect of a case in which he has already appeared before the agency on multiple occasions dating back to 2019 when he also filed voluminous documents."On 09.06.2025, he came down with flu-like symptoms and was advised to take a COVID-19 test . This is in keeping with the current practice being followed by many institutions including the PMO. Consequently, he informed the ED that he would not be able to attend proceedings in person on 10.06.2025."He also informed the ED that as a law-abiding citizen who is keen on clearing his name, he is happy to attend the proceedings in person as soon as he is medically cleared to do so. He also volunteered to attend proceedings virtually if the ED thought it necessary to carry them out immediately," Vadra's lawyer lawyer said Vadra is scheduled to travel abroad later this month to attend his daughter's college graduation ceremony."He (Vadra) is perfectly happy to attend proceedings at any other time before or after the trip just as he has already done several times," his counsel also claimed that he has also recently submitted voluminous documents and answered all the questions asked by ED in the past."Any attempt to suggest that Mr. Vadra's attendance of his daughter's graduation ceremony is some sort of ruse to avoid attending any proceedings is completely untrue, unacceptable and without any basis in fact. This is especially clear from the fact that all foreign travels by Mr. Vadra, are always with prior notice to and knowledge of ED and with the prior permission of the Court."It is a matter of record with ED that Mr. Vadra has regularly and repeatedly appeared before the ED whenever summoned and there is no basis or reason to even think that Mr Vadra will ever try to give any untrue reason while asking for time to appear before ED," his lawyer sources said Vadra had sought an adjournment of Tuesday's summons, and he will now be given a fresh date. The ED wants to record Vadra's statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and then file a charge sheet against him before the court, sources federal probe agency had questioned the 56-year-old businessman for three consecutive days in April in a separate money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in a 2008 land deal in (63) fled to London in 2016, soon after the Income Tax Department raided him in Delhi.A UK court earlier this month refused an application filed by the Indian government seeking permission to appeal in Britain's Supreme Court against the discharge of Bhandari in an extradition case, virtually ruling out chances of him being brought to the country to face the ED filed a charge sheet in this case in 2023, alleging that Bhandari acquired the 12, Bryanston Square house in London in 2009 and got it renovated "as per the directions of Robert Vadra, who provided the funds for the renovation".Vadra has denied that he owns any London property directly or the charges a "political witch hunt", Vadra has said he is being "hounded and harassed" to subserve political ends.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Eleven from Rajasthan among victims of Air India crash after take-off from Ahmedabad
Eleven persons from Rajasthan were among the passengers on board the Air India flight that crashed shortly after take-off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday (June 12, 2025). The victims from the State included five members of a physician's family from Banswara, who were relocating to London. Software professional Pratik Joshi and his physician wife Komi Vyas were travelling to London with their three children on the ill-fated flight. Dr. Vyas had recently resigned from a private hospital in Udaipur, intending to begin medical practice in London and reside with her husband, who had moved there in 2016. Two siblings, Shubh Modi and Shagun Modi, from the family of a marble businessman in Udaipur, were also among the passengers. After completing their business administration studies, the two had joined their father's business. They were travelling to London for leisure. Udaipur Collector Namit Mehta visited their residence in the city to meet the family. Mr. Mehta said Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had enquired about the victims and assured the family of all possible support. In a statement, Mr. Sharma said Rajasthan, being a neighbouring State, was ready to provide all possible assistance to the Gujarat government in this hour of grief. He also expressed condolences on the death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in the plane crash. Mr. Sharma spoke to the families of the victims from Rajasthan over the telephone and consoled them. The district administration, which remained in touch with the bereaved families, ensured all possible help. Two other passengers from Udaipur district, Vardhichand Menaria and Prakash Menaria, employed in the culinary sector in the United Kingdom, had returned to India on holiday. They were en route to London to resume work. Abhinav Parihar from Bikaner and Khushboo Rajpurohit from Balotra were also among those on board. Governor Haribhau Bagade, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani expressed grief over the deaths. As a mark of respect for the deceased, both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition Congress suspended their scheduled programmes until further notice. The BJP had planned political events including rallies and press conferences to mark 11 years of the Narendra Modi government, while the Congress had scheduled 'Samvidhan Bachao' rallies in Pratapgarh and Banswara.
