Jharkhand flags MGNREGA dues, opposes 40% state share in new rural scheme

Jharkhand on Saturday raised concerns over pending MGNREGA dues, low wage rates and the proposed funding pattern under the Centre’s new rural scheme during a virtual meeting chaired by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Dipika Pandey Singh, who participated in the meeting along with her counterparts from other states, urged the Centre to expedite the release of pending funds.

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She said dues amounting to Rs 950 crore under the material component, Rs 300 crore in wages and Rs 36 crore towards administrative expenses are yet to be cleared in Jharkhand, adding that delays have affected worker participation in rural areas.

Raising the issue of wage rates, Singh said current MGNREGA wages are not in line with rising inflation and called for a revision, noting that several states share similar concerns.

The minister also expressed reservations over the proposed ‘Viksit Bharat Gram Ji Yojana’, particularly the provision requiring states to bear 40 per cent of the expenditure. She said such a funding pattern would impose a significant financial burden on states like Jharkhand.

Referring to the state’s position, Singh said the Jharkhand Assembly has already passed a proposal seeking continuation of MGNREGA in its existing form.

She further suggested increasing the guaranteed workdays under the scheme from 100 to 150 and sought relaxation in provisions related to work breaks, stating that these could otherwise lead to reduced employment opportunities and increased migration.

Emphasising the need for timely intervention, the minister urged the Centre to clear pending dues at the earliest to ensure continuity of the scheme and safeguard rural livelihoods.