In view of the increased work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Union Rural Development Ministry had demanded an additional amount of Rs 25,000 crore from the Government of India and this amount is expected to be allotted by the second week of November. State Rural Development Minister, Alamgir Alam said that it is a welcome step and it will create more employment in rural areas and stop migration.
In this way, now the total MGNREGA budget for this financial year will be Rs 98,000 crores. An amount of Rs 73,000 crore was allocated for MGNREGA in the Union Budget for the year 2022-23. So far, about Rs 54,000 crore has been allocated to the states under the MGNREGA scheme. About Rs 181 crore work has been created under the scheme. For the additional amount in the MGNREGA scheme, the Central Government will have to take approval in the winter session of Parliament. The State Government will seek Assembly's approval for the allocation of additional funds under the demands for grants to be presented in the upcoming winter session.
In the Union Budget for the year 2022-23, the Central Government had cut Rs 25,000 crore in the MGNREGA funds. In the financial year 2020-21, the total budget of MGNREGA was more than Rs 1 lakh crore. This scheme was implemented in the first phase in 200 most backward districts of the Country with effect from February 2, 2006, later it was extended to 113 additional districts with effect from April 1, 2007 and from May 15, 2007. The remaining districts were included under the Act with effect from April 1, 2008. The Act now covers all rural districts of the country.
Alam said, “We welcome the indication of an increase of Rs 2500 crore in MGNREGA scheme from the Central Government. This will create more and more jobs in rural areas. States like Jharkhand will benefit.” He said that the State will be able to create more jobs to stop migration. “Along with employment generation in rural areas, wealth will also be created. We will also fight drought with strength. If the Central Government increases the amount, then it is a welcome step,” he added.
Jharkhand NREGA Watch Convenor James Herrenj welcomed the move to demand additional funds for MGNREGA. He said in a statement that, the amount should be immediately allocated for release to the states under the scheme, these days the employment guarantee scheme is facing a serious crisis due to which the poor are facing a serious crisis across the Country. “This initiative of the Central Government will give relief to the MGNREGA workers of the state. The objective of MGNREGA is to enhance the livelihood security of families in rural areas of the Country. The said scheme guarantees every family at least 100 days of wages in a financial year,” he added.