CAG finds delay in wage payments, insufficient employment generation in MGNREGS

Gairsain: The CAG report on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Uttarakhand found irregularities such as delays in wage payments, insufficient employment generation, and non-maintenance of key registers. The performance audit of MGNREGS in Uttarakhand was carried out during 2024-25, covering the period 2019-24.Significant delays in wage payments were noticed. 1,232 MRs across 160 selected works revealed that payments for 411 Muster Rolls (33 per cent), involving 2,946 labourers, were delayed by four to 157 days. Insufficient employment generation often occurred due to poor planning, a lack of sufficient work opportunities, and delays in project implementation.Many rural households, particularly in remote areas, remain unaware of their entitlements under MGNREGS. This lack of awareness leads to the underutilisation of the scheme and the exclusion of eligible beneficiaries. Non-maintenance of key registers, a lack of mandatory surveys, and deficient project execution were also found in the audit.The audit noticed that, out of total employment generated (11.5 crore person days) in the state during 2019-24, the representation of women was 6.4 crore person days (56%). In test-checked districts, it ranged from 53% to 74% during 2019-24. Further, it was between 44% and 60% in test-checked blocks of Almora district during 2019-24, and between 62% and 78% in test-checked blocks of Tehri district, which is appreciable.The report states, "During April 2019 to March 2024, the state utilised the fund of Rs 3,638.95 crore out of available funds Rs 3,647.21 crore. Wage employment was provided to 27.04 lakh households (HHs). It created 11.56 crore person days with a wage payment of Rs 2,340.06 crore. The state also created 3.42 lakh assets under the scheme on water harvesting, plantation, land development, rural connectivity, etc. during 2019-24. Out of 10.35 lakh to 11.84 lakh registered HHs in the state, annually 4.72 lakh to 6.54 lakh HHs were provided employment during 2019-24 at an average of 21 days per HH per year."The audit identified lapses in financial management and implementation of MGNREGS in the state. Delays in releasing central and state shares to the State Employment Guarantee Fund (SEGF) led to an avoidable interest liability of Rs 2.03 crore and an outstanding liability of Rs 122.4 crore for wages and materials.Operational Guidelines, 2013 mandates that each Gram Panchayat (GP) must conduct an annual door-to-door survey to identify eligible HHs that may have been overlooked and wish to be registered under the Act. The audit observed that none of the selected GPs conducted door-to-door surveys during the period 2019-24.The application register for registration was not maintained in any of the test-checked GPs. Many job card holders were denied employment even after making requests.The report suggested that the state govt should empanel expert institutions to conduct baseline and annual door-to-door surveys in all GPs for demand estimation and for convergence initiatives. The Annual Plan and Labour Budget should be prepared in a timely manner after ensuring a bottom-up approach."Automated systems must be established for monitoring fund transfers and alerting on deadlines, ensuring timely payments and accurate fund utilisation. Inconsistencies in muster roll issuance must be addressed. Delays in wage payments should be addressed by ensuring that funds are available and disbursed within the prescribed time frame," it mentioned.