Latest news with #MGNREGS
The Wire
a day ago
- Business
- The Wire
Rural Development Ministry Seeks 12% Hike in MGNREGS Outlay: Report
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Government Rural Development Ministry Seeks 12% Hike in MGNREGS Outlay: Report The Wire Staff 7 minutes ago A report by Indian Express finds that the Ministry of Rural Development has sought an outlay of Rs 5.23 lakh crore for the scheme for five years until 2029-30. Representative image of a labourer at work in Rajasthan. Photo: Eric Parker/Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0) Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: Despite the Union government's consistent efforts to underplay the primacy of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, a report by Indian Express finds that the Ministry of Rural Development has sought an increased outlay – of Rs 5.23 lakh crore – for the scheme for five years until 2029-30. The report makes public findings from the rural development ministry's May 15 proposal to the Expenditure Finance Committee, that functions under the finance ministry and appraises all government schemes and projects. The report says that the outlay for five years till 2029-2030 is nearly 12% higher than the Union government's release of Rs 4.68 lakh crore for MGNREGS during the previous five financial years, from 2020-2021 to 2024-2025. In the Union Budget 2025, the Narendra Modi government allocated Rs 86,000 crore to the United Progressive Alliance-era scheme – the same amount as what was spent on the scheme as per the Revised Estimate of 2024-2025. Rs 86,000 crore is also the exact amount that was promised in the Union Budget of 2024-25, presented in July, 2024, after the National Democratic Government came back to power. The Wire has reported earlier how in an indication of fresh economic strain in rural India, demand for unskilled work under the MGNREGS has seen an increase in April and May this year, according to the data from the same rural development ministry. As many as 20.12 million rural households were among those who sought employment under the scheme in April. The figure slightly increased to 20.37 million in May, till the 18th of the month. The Express report notes that release of funds under the scheme had peaked at Rs 1,09,810 crore in 2020-21, the first full year after COVID-19 outbreak. A record 7.55 crore rural families availed themselves of the scheme. The report also quoted sources in the government as having said that the EFC appraisal and approval is part of government's exercise to evaluate and approve its schemes for the next Finance Commission cycle. The MGNREGS is backed by law and therefore the EFC approval is 'just a formality,' the report said. The ministry's outlay is also subject to change, sources told the paper. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Why We Need Social Audits in the MGNREGS Demand For Work Under MGNREGS Goes Up, Actual Job Creation Declines: Report Cops Arrest Gujarat Minister's Second Son in Alleged MGNREGS Funds Scam Modi's Cult-Driven Foreign Outreach Efforts Have Left India Friendless Modi is Maun: How the Sudden Ceasefire Marred the Prime Minister's PR Script By Calling For the Boycott of Foreign Goods, Modi Contradicts Himself Facing Pushback, Derision and Anger, BJP Says News of Sindoor Distribution Plans 'Fake' 'Army Bowing at Modi ji's Feet': Why a Deputy CM's Gaffe Doesn't Bode Well Why Modi Won't Let Go of the BJP's Reins View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Rural ministry seeks 12% hike in outlay of Rs 5.23 lakh crore for MGNREGS over 5 years
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has sought an outlay of Rs 5.23 lakh crore for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for five years until 2029-30 in its May 15 proposal to the Expenditure Finance Committee, The Indian Express has learnt. EFC is a panel under the Finance Ministry that appraises all government schemes and projects. The outlay for five years till 2029-30 is about 12 per cent higher than the Central release of Rs 4.68 lakh crore for MGNREGS during the previous five financial years, 2020-21 to 2024-25. The release had peaked at Rs 1,09,810 crore in 2020-21, the first full year after Covid outbreak. During this year, there was a spike in demand for work when a record 7.55 crore rural families availed the scheme, which became a safety net for migrants who returned to their villages after a national lockdown was imposed. The Central release progressively declined to Rs 85,680 crore in 2024-25, the lowest in the last five years. The number of families working under the scheme gradually dropped over the years — 7.25 crore in 2021-22; 6.18 crore in 2022-23; 5.99 crore in 2023-24; and 5.79 crore in 2024-25. In 2024-25, the total Central release was Rs 85,680 crore. The last three financial years (2022-23 to 2024-25) do not include MGNREGS beneficiaries' figures for West Bengal, where the scheme has been suspended since March 2022. Sources in the government said the EFC appraisal and approval is part of the Centre's exercise to evaluate and approve its schemes for the next Finance Commission cycle. The MGNREGS is backed by law and therefore the EFC approval is just a formality. The outlay proposed by the MoRD is just 'estimated' and is 'subject to change' as the MGNREGS is a demand-driven scheme, they said. The scheme is notified by different states and UTs under Section 4 of the MGNREG Act 2005, which says that 'every State Government shall, within six months from the date of commencement of this Act, by notification, make a Scheme, for providing not less than one hundred days of guaranteed employment in a financial year to every household in the rural areas covered under the Scheme and whose adult members, by application, volunteer to do unskilled manual work subject to the conditions laid down by or under this Act and in the Scheme…' Section 22 of the Act provides for funding patterns of the scheme. According to the Act, the Central government is responsible for paying 100 per cent cost of three components — wages, administrative expenses and Social Audit Units (SAUs) — and up to three-fourths of the material cost of the scheme, including payment of wages to skilled and semi-skilled workers, subject to provisions of Schedule II of the Act. The state governments are responsible for meeting the costs of the following: (a) cost of unemployment allowance payable under the scheme; (b) one-fourth of the material cost of the scheme, including payment of wages to skilled and semi-skilled workers, subject to provisions of Schedule II; (c) administrative expenses of the State Council. 'No change is proposed in the current funding pattern across all components,' a source told The Indian Express. The MGNREGS was launched in 200 most backward rural districts of the country in 2006-07 and was extended to an additional 130 districts during 2007-08; and to the entire country from financial year 2008-09. The MoRD has circulated the EFC note at a time when the government has set in motion the process of prioritising its schemes for the 16th finance cycle starting April 1 next year. The Ministry of Finance has told all ministries and departments that no Centrally Sponsored Scheme or Central Sector Scheme will be considered for continuation beyond March 31, 2026, unless a third-party evaluation of the scheme is carried out. According to the Finance Ministry, there are 54 Centrally Sponsored Schemes and 260 Central Sector Schemes, which have their terminal date of approval until March 31, 2026 and are likely to be submitted for re-appraisal. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Tirupati to take up mega plantation drive on June 5
Tirupati: To mark World Environment Day on June 5, a mega plantation drive aiming to plant five lakh saplings across the Tirupati district will be undertaken. District Collector Dr S Venkateswar instructed all concerned departments to coordinate effectively for the successful execution of the programme. In preparation for the event, the Collector held a Zoom conference with Forest Officer Vivek, DWMA PD Srinivasa Prasad, DPO Suseela Devi, and other officials. During the meeting, he underlined the importance of the event and gave several directions to ensure proper implementation. The Collector said this year's World Environment Day would be observed under the theme 'Solutions to Plastic Pollution – Our Land, Our Future', as part of the Mission Haritha Andhra Pradesh – Vanam Manam campaign. He directed officials to ensure that planting pits are dug in all mandals and municipal areas ahead of the plantation drive. Highlighting the crucial role of trees in protecting the environment, the Collector urged everyone to participate by planting saplings and ensuring their survival. He directed the Forest Department to prepare detailed plans for tree planting and other related activities, aligning with the set targets for the occasion. Further, he instructed that arrangements be made under the MGNREGS (Employment Guarantee Scheme) to plant saplings along government land, particularly on both sides of roads. Special focus should also be placed on promoting orchards. Municipal Commissioners and MPDOs were asked to ensure proper coordination for the success of the programme. Referring to the Chandragiri constituency, particularly Chinnagottigallu and Yerravaripalem mandals where elephant movement is frequent, cultivating lemon orchards, which are generally avoided by elephants, was suggested.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Be wary of those trying to stoke communal tension, cautions Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said some sections of people had tried to sling mud at the State government by attempting to establish the death of Hyderabad-based pastor Praveen Pagadala as a murder in Rajamahendravaram. As per the East Godavari police, Mr. Praveen, who was allegedly in a drunken state, had reportedly succumbed to the injuries he sustained in a road accident in the early hours of March 25. Addressing the gathering after distributing social welfare pensions and interacting with the MGNREGS works as part of the 'Pedala Sevalo' programme here, Mr. Naidu said, 'Severl people are involved in creating communal tension across the State. Some sections of people want to create social and communal tensions by demolishing statues of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi and Vangaveeti Ranga. I appeal to the people of the State not to react to such incidents and maintain harmony so that the motive behind such acts can be established.' 'We have strengthened the vigil through CC cameras and drones across the State. Those attempting to disturb harmony cannot escape from the eyes of the government,' said Mr. Naidu.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
MGNREGS workers in Erode to withdraw strike and submit petitions seeking employment
Workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have decided to withdraw their strike over pending wages and will submit petitions seeking employment, as their outstanding wages have now been settled. The Union Government had previously failed to release wages for the workers under the scheme for four months. In response, workers, under the banner of the 100 Days Scheme Workers Association, had announced a month-long strike. Now that their dues have been cleared, the workers convened at Sathyamangalam on Saturday. The meeting was presided over by former Bhavanisagar MLA P.L. Sundaram, who spoke in detail about the next course of action. At the end of the meeting, several resolutions were passed. It was decided that the workers would return to work and submit petitions to officials at the union offices in Sathyamangalam, Talavadi, and Bhavanisagar on Sunday. The resolutions stated that workers from 40 village panchayats would be submitting petitions seeking employment under the scheme and were instructed to gather at the respective union offices. CPI district secretary S. Mohan Kumar, deputy secretary Sakthivel, union secretary P. A. Velumani, S. Mahendran, S. C. Natraj, N. Surender, and others participated in the meeting.
