The gap between the number of households that demanded jobs and the number met in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) widened marginally in the financial year 2018-19.
In at least nine States the wage rates paid were below the minimum assured in FY18, according to a report published by the Centre for Policy Research.
Demand-supply gap
In FY19, only 4.5 crore households (HH) were provided with jobs through the scheme — 70 lakhs less than the demand.
Falling below the minimum
In Rajasthan, the average wage rate for workers was ₹192 in FY18 — ₹50 less than the minimum fixed by the Central government.In at least eight other major States, the rate was less than the minimum guaranteed amount.
Delayed pay checks
In FY19, only 54% of the amount approved to compensate the delays in wage payments have reached the aggrieved workers. MGNREGS workers are entitled to receive a compensation, if there are delays in wage payments. The compensation amount is based on the duration of delay. The proportion of delay compensation paid to workers has been decreasing in the last five years.
Published - June 18, 2019 02:50 pm IST
