One third of the budget allocated for MGNREGA scheme has already used in the academic year 2020. Out of Rs1 lakh crore, Rs 48,5000 crore has already spent due to Covid-19 outbreak. The study shows that wages in the scheme are 25 to 30% lower than the minimum wages for agricultural workers in most states.
The survey published by Azim Premji Foundation tells that, across 13 states funds allocated for gram panchayat for the scheme have already exhausted. Due to rain employment has been reduced. More than 4 lakh families across the country have completed 100 days of work. Now they are finding in getting new jobs. The foundation recommends the government to increase the work limit to 200 days per household and allocate another 1 lakh crore to the scheme.” The Gram Panchayats’ shelf of projects, will likely end by August 2020. New projects should commence as early to create job opportunities.