October 23, 2023: Rural development and panchayati raj minister Giriraj Singh has said that there is no deficit of funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Under the scheme, the Centre provides the guarantee of at least 100 days of work in a financial year to the unskilled rural workforce in India. For drought/natural calamity-notified areas, there is the provision for additional 50 days of unskilled wage employment in a financial year.
While briefing the media on the nine years’ achievements of his ministry on October 20, Singh said that the finance ministry was approached for additional funds under the scheme, adding that the money would be sanctioned soon.
The minister also informed that a total of 2,644 crore person days have been generated during the past nine years under the government’s employment guarantee scheme. More than Rs 6.63 lakh crore have been released as the Central share under the NREGA, he added.
Earlier this month, the government said nearly Rs 56,106 crore under the scheme has been released so far in the ongoing financial year (FY24).
Funds released under NREGA
All figures in Rs crore
| Year | Budget estimate | Revised estimate | Fund released |
| 2020-21 | 61,500.00 | 1,11,500.00 | 1,11,170.86 |
| 2021-22 | 73,000.00 | 98,000.00 | 98,467.85 |
| 2022-23 | 73,000.00 | 89,400.00 | 90,810.00 |
| 2023-24 | 60,000.00 | – | *56,105.69 |
Source: Ministry of rural development
While stating that the NREGA was a demand-driven wage-employment programme, the ministry said that the government was making funds available keeping in view the demand for work. “The ministry releases funds to states based on the agreed-to labour budget, opening balance, pending liabilities of the previous year and overall performance. The ministry seeks additional funds for the MGNREGS as and when required for meeting the demand for work on the ground,” it said.
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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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