The Centre on February 3, 2023, said it was committed to releasing funds for the proper implementation of the NREGA scheme. Issuing clarifications on the issue of Budget allocation cut on the NREGA in the Union Budget-2023-24, the rural development ministry said that the additional fund would be provided for the scheme as and when required.
“In different media reports, a concern has been raised that the Union Budget has allocated Rs 60,000 crore for the MGNREGA scheme for 2023-24, which is 18% lower than the Rs 73,000 crore budget estimates of 2022-23. This may affect the rural job employment scheme Mahatma Gandhi NREGA to achieve its objective of providing wage employment against the demand from the rural households. This is far from truth,” it said.
While stating the actual releases to states have been much higher than that provided for at the Budget Estimate (BE) level, the ministry said that the government was committed to release funds for wage and material payments for proper implementation of the scheme.
“In the FY 2019-20, the BE was Rs 60,000 crore which got revised to Rs 71,001 crore. For the FY 2020-21, the BE was 61,500 crore which increased at RE to Rs 1,11,500 crore; and for the FY 2021-22, the BE of Rs 73,000 crore has revised to Rs 98,000 crore. Even during the current financial year 2022-23, the BE has been Rs 73,000 crore, which has been revised to Rs 89,400 crore. … previous release has no bearing on the requirement for funds for next year,” it said.
The NREGA is a demand driven scheme, it said, adding that any household demanding employment would be provided at least 100 days of unskilled manual work in a financial year in accordance with the scheme.
“During the current FY 2022-23, a total of 99.81% rural households have been offered wage employment against their demand for work. If an applicant for employment under the scheme is not provided such employment within 15 days of receipt, he shall be entitled to a daily unemployment allowance,” the ministry said in its note.
NREGA fund release in previous years
Source: Ministry of rural development
See also: How to view and download NREGA job card?
An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, Sunita Mishra brings over 16 years of expertise to the fields of legal matters, financial insights, and property market trends. Recognised for her ability to elucidate complex topics, her articles serve as a go-to resource for home buyers navigating intricate subjects. Through her extensive career, she has been associated with esteemed organisations like the Financial Express, Hindustan Times, Network18, All India Radio, and Business Standard.
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