Despite assurance from Centre, MGNREGS workers denied work
From Bihar to Rajasthan, thousands of rural workers say work has been halted; some district officials say they have been directed not to start new works as MGNREGA has been discontinued, though there are no such formal orders
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Context
Despite assurances from the Union government, workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) are facing denial of work and payment delays in states like Bihar and Rajasthan. This situation arises amid the impending rollout of the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Act, 2025, which is set to replace MGNREGS, creating significant uncertainty and hardship for rural households.
UPSC Perspectives
Polity & Governance
The article highlights critical issues of federalism and governance in the implementation of welfare schemes. The alleged informal instructions to halt work, despite formal assurances of its continuation until the new Act's rollout, demonstrate a disconnect between central policy directives and ground-level implementation by state and local officials. This lack of clarity and coordination between the Centre and States poses challenges to cooperative federalism and undermines the statutory Right to Work guaranteed under the existing law. For UPSC, this underscores the importance of transparent governance, accountability mechanisms, and the effective functioning of local self-government institutions like in ensuring citizen entitlements.
Economy
From an economic perspective, the denial of work under directly impacts rural employment and livelihood security, especially for vulnerable households, including women-led and tribal families, who depend on this scheme for significant annual income. The transition to the aims to enhance the guaranteed employment days to 125 and integrate rural development with the vision. However, the current implementation vacuum can lead to economic distress, reverse gains in poverty alleviation, and affect demand generation in rural areas. UPSC often examines the efficacy of government schemes in fostering inclusive economic growth and addressing rural poverty.
Social
The situation presents significant social implications, particularly for vulnerable sections of society. has been a crucial welfare scheme providing a social safety net, especially for women and tribal communities, reducing distress migration and empowering them through guaranteed wage employment. The current denial of work exacerbates existing inequalities and threatens the basic income security of these groups. The reported protests in and underscore the critical role of civil society organizations in advocating for social justice and ensuring the delivery of entitlements to marginalized populations. UPSC questions can focus on the role of welfare programs in social inclusion, gender empowerment, and addressing the challenges faced by tribal populations.