Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development And Panchayati Raj highlighted issues of low wages and disparity in wage rate across states as major concerning areas related to MGNREGS.

Other Issues related to MGNREGS

• Payment-related issues: Delayed payments and states not providing unemployment allowance and delay compensation.
• Technological adoption: Issues related to internet connectivity, smartphone requirement lead to exclusion of beneficiaries.
• Social Audit: Irregularities in conduction of Social audits by Gram Sabhas. E.g Only 14% of planned gram panchayats were audited in 2020-21.

Key Recommendations of Committee

• Revision of Wage Rate: Wage rate can be linked to a suitable index accounting for rising inflation.
• Parity in wages: Based on Article 39(d) (DPSP), MGNREGA beneficiaries should be paid wages at parity in all states/UTs.
  • Article 39(d) of Constitution provides for equal pay for equal work for both man and woman.
• Robust financial management: Pendency related to wages and material components need to be eradicated at earliest.
• Increase Guaranteed Days of Work: Guaranteed days of work should be increased from 100 to 150 to cater to work demand as well as to create durable assets.