Shillong, Sept 12: Responding to concerns about the current challenges facing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), C&RD Minister, AT Mondal, on Thursday said payments are being made as soon as the Government of India releases funds.
“As far as the wages component of MGNREGA is concerned, we are paying continuously whenever the Government of India transfers the funds. It has nothing to do with the state government. The wages are directly transferred to the individual accounts of the job card holders. However, there may be some dues due to the continuous nature of the process. As soon as work is completed, it is uploaded into the software, and there are always some pending payments. The moment a bill is cleared, some other bills accumulate. So, this is a continuous process,” he informed.
He further explained that the material component is similarly managed. “The material component is not stagnant or pending. We are continuously paying as soon as we receive the central share. Again, here too, some dues may accumulate, but it is part of the ongoing process.”
When asked about complaints, particularly in the plains, regarding corruption and nepotism in MGNREGA work allocation, Mondal stated, “We have instructed BDOs (Block Development Officers) to look into all aspects of the allocation process. I believe they are addressing the concerns. If there is any allegation, an inquiry is instituted. As for the funds, if the central government does not release them, our job card holders do not receive their wages. But, as I mentioned earlier, it is a continuous process and not something that has been pending for years.”
Mondal reaffirmed that wherever there are instances of misuse or underutilization of funds, investigations are promptly conducted to address the issues.
, C&RD Minister, AT Mondal, on Thursday said payments are being made as soon as the Government of India releases funds.){kind=link}