Panel Criticizes Rural Development Ministry Over Evasive Replies on MGNREGS

Quick Summary

• A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Growth criticized the Union Ministry of Rural Development for providing an “evasive” reply on pending dues under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
• The committee, led by Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka, tabled its report regarding action taken on its recommendations for the 2025-26 budgetary allocation.
• According to the report, ₹12,219.18 crore in wages and ₹11,227.09 crore under material components from the previous financial year remain unpaid.
• These dues amount to 27.26% of the current budget allocation for MGNREGS, reducing this year’s effective working budget to ₹62,553.73 crore.
• The committee had asked for clarification and urged effective measures to prevent delays in disbursement; however,they found the response from the Ministry lacking concrete steps or acknowledgment of existing pendencies.
• the panel expressed disappointment over repetitive replies claiming that fund releases are “continuous and demand-driven” without addressing specific concerns.

Read more

Indian opinion Analysis

The critique by this parliamentary panel highlights critical issues regarding administrative responsiveness under MGNREGS-a scheme pivotal in supporting rural employment across India. The reported backlog of wages and material payments raises concerns about fiscal inefficiency that could diminish trust among workers who depend on timely payouts. Furthermore, diverting funds towards clearing past dues instead of financing new projects limits fresh economic activity through job creation in rural areas.

The government’s reliance on generalized explanations rather than presenting actionable solutions may lead to scrutiny about accountability within ministries managing flagship schemes like MGNREGS. Addressing these pendencies urgently could reaffirm institutional commitment toward safeguarding livelihoods while ensuring smoother implementation moving forward.