‘99% of MGNREGA wages remain unpaid’ 

‘99% of MGNREGA wages remain unpaid’

Context

Ninety-nine per cent of MGNREGA wages have remained unpaid in April 2018, as per the findings of the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha that tracks the implementation of the rural employment guarantee law

What has happened?

NREGA Sangharsh Morcha in its release has brought out the delay in wage payments to workers under MGNREGA

Findings

• The Centre introduced the National Electronic Fund Management System in January 2016 purportedly to streamline the process of MGNREGA payments but the system has only tightened the (Rural Development) Ministry’s leash over funds
• In NEFMS, States are no longer able to make payments to workers from their revolving funds to tide over delays in release of funds by the Ministry
• Ninety-nine per cent of the Fund Transfer Orders for MGNREGA wage payments sent to the Public Finance Management in April 2018 remain unprocessed