Central govt releases funds of Rs 2,999 for 100 days work scheme
The Union Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned Rs 2,999 crore to Tamil Nadu under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for the financial year 2024–25.
This allocation ends months of uncertainty over the non-release of funds to the state. Of the total amount, Rs 2,851 crore has been earmarked for clearing wage liabilities.
According to a recent communication from Sanjay Kumar, Director (MGNREGS) in the Union Ministry, approximately Rs 740 crore will go to Scheduled Caste beneficiaries, Rs 43 crore to Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries, and Rs 2,068 crore to other workers.
A copy of this communication has also been shared with the Tamil Nadu government. So far, the state has received Rs 1,111 crore from the sanctioned funds. Meanwhile, arrears related to the material component stand at Rs 1,246 crore for 2024–25.
The MGNREGS was enacted by the Central Government in 2005 with the objective of generating rural employment and eradicating poverty.
Under the scheme, households with job cards are guaranteed at least 100 days of wage employment per financial year upon demand.
As per the latest data, 25.25 crore individuals have registered under the scheme nationwide, with 14.35 crore currently active as workers.