The Rural Ministry demanded an increase of 12% in outlay of Rs 5.23 lakh crore for MGNREGS in 5 years. Bharat News

The central release progressively fell to Rs 85,680 crore in 2024–25, the lowest in the last five years. The number of families working under the scheme gradually fell over the years-7.25 crore in 2021-22; 6.18 crore in 2022-23; 5.99 crore in 2023-24; And 5.79 crores in 2024-25. In 2024–25, the total central release was Rs 85,680 crore.

The last three financial years (2022–23 to 2024-25) do not include data from MGNREGS beneficiaries for West Bengal, where the scheme has been suspended since March 2022.

Sources in the government said that EFC evaluation and approval is part of the Center’s practice to evaluate and approval its plans for the next Finance Commission cycle. MGNREGS is supported by law and therefore EFC approval is only a formality. The outlay proposed by Mord is just “approximate” and “subject to change” as MGNREGS is a demand-operated scheme, he said.

The scheme is informed by various states and UTS under Section 4 of the MGNREG Act 2005, stating that “each state government, within six months from the date of the commencement of this Act, makes a plan, a plan, a plan, which provides guaranteed employment of one hundred days in a financial year, which involves the adult members, which involves adults, who involve adults, who involve additional members, To join the application, the plan voluntarily works… “

Section 22 of the Act provides for the funding pattern of the scheme. As per the Act, the central government is responsible for paying 100 percent cost of three components-laborers, administrative expenditure and social audit units (SAU)-and up to three-fourths of the physical cost of the scheme, payment of wages to skilled and semi-skilled workers, under the provisions of Schedule II of Schedule II of the Act. State governments are responsible for meeting the following costs: (A) cost the cost of unemployment allowance payable under the scheme; (B) One-fourth of the physical cost of the scheme, including the provisions of Schedule II, including one-fourth of the physical cost, skilled and semi-skilled workers; (c) The administrative expenses of the State Council.

A source told The Indian Express, “There is no change in the current funding pattern in all components.”

MGNREGS was launched in 2006-07 in 200 most backward rural districts in the country and extended to additional 130 districts during 2007-08; And from the financial year 2008-09 across the country.

Mord has broadcast the EFC Note at a time when the government has accelerated the process of giving priority to its plans for the 16th Finance cycle starting from April 1 next year. The Finance Ministry has told all ministries and departments that no centrally sponsored scheme or central sector plan will be considered for continuity from March 31, 2026, unless the third party is evaluated.

According to the Finance Ministry, there are 54 centrally sponsored schemes and 260 central territory schemes, which have their terminal date by 31 March, 2026 and are likely to be presented for re -evaluation.