Centre prone to notify MGNREGS wage revision, calls it ‘routine’ train

The Rural Growth Ministry could notify revision in wage charges below the Mahatma Gandhi Nationwide Rural Employment Assure Scheme and it has obtained a clearance from the Election Fee because the ballot code is in pressure, sources stated on Thursday. Although ministry officers refused to touch upon the problem in view of the mannequin code of conduct (MCC) being in place after the announcement of the Lok Sabha ballot schedule, they stated it’s a “routine” matter and that ministries method the EC for clearances when the mannequin code is in place.

Based on a supply, the adjustments in charges are to be notified for the upcoming monetary yr beginning April 1.

“It is the common means of revision of charges each monetary yr from April 1. The ministry has taken permission from the EC for notifying it,” the supply stated.

The Centre determines wages below the flagship scheme below sub-section (1) of part 6 of the Mahatma Gandhi Nationwide Rural Employment Assure Act, 2005, which says the Central authorities could, by notification, specify the wage charge for its beneficiaries.

In the meantime, retired IAS officer EAS Sarma has written to the ballot panel, saying whereas an identical clearance was given in 2019 for notifying MGNREGA wage adjustments, the ballot panel had directed that no publicity needs to be given to the hike by media, no political functionaries ought to check with it, and the restriction was imposed on each the Centre and states.

“I’m positive that the Fee’s newest clearance stipulated related circumstances. If not, it’s mandatory for the Fee to impose such restrictions,” he stated in his letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and the 2 election commissioners. Stating that the newest wage revision is “everywhere in the press”, he stated, “apparently, the involved Ministry has intentionally or in any other case given out the main points to the media in violation of the MCC. Could I name upon the Fee to analyze this urgently and take exemplary motion, if mandatory?” He additionally sought the ballot panel to impose restrictions on political functionaries as was performed in 2019 and prohibit political functionaries from referring to the wage hike or events to place up posters with political functionaries’ footage.

The final revision in MGNREGA wages was notified on March 24, 2023. The rise within the wages for various states diverse from two per cent to 10 per cent. Karnataka, Goa, Meghalaya and Manipur had been among the many states which registered the bottom share enhance within the wages.

Rajasthan had registered the very best share enhance within the MNREGA wages. The revised charge for Rajasthan was Rs 255 in opposition to Rs 231 in 2022.

Bihar and Jharkhand got here second by way of share enhance in wages, with the charges being hiked by round eight per cent in comparison with 2022. In 2022, the wages of an MNREGA employee in these two states was Rs 210, which was elevated to Rs 228 in 2023.

In a report tabled in Parliament earlier this yr, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Growth and Panchayati Raj had identified the excessive vary of variation in MGNREGS wages throughout states, and had additionally stated that the wages had been insufficient and never in consonance with the rising price of residing.

The panel additionally quoted a report of the Central authorities committee on minimal wages — Anoop Satpathy Committee — which had advisable that the wages below MGNREGA needs to be Rs 375 per day.