The Centre released Rs 1.08 lakh crore to states under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme since February 2006 but did not carry out account auditing at any level, the government told the Supreme Court on Friday. This admission by the Union of India meant violation of the intent of Section 24 of the Act, which says, "The central government may, in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General...

The key to the United Progressive Alliance’s return to power in 2009 lay in its promise of “inclusive growth” centred on the aam aadmi. On top of the launching of the Mahatma Ga­ndhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), this gave the UPA immeasurably greater appeal and legitimacy than its rivals. But it also entailed obligations to implement other rights-based programmes, on food security, education and healthcare, am­ong others. The National...

MP Ramesh Jigjinagi has instructed the officers concerned to ensure that the funds released under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) are utilised properly and jobs are provided to the needy in rural areas of the district. Speaking after reviewing various development works taken up under Central funds here on Thursday, he said that employment cards provided under the scheme should be renewed every year to stop misuse of...

The government's biggest welfare programme could see an almost 60 per cent increase in funding. The forthcoming Budget is likely to make a provision of Rs 64,000 crore (Rs 640 billion) for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in 2011-12, against Rs 40,100 crore (Rs 401 billion) in the current fiscal. The huge increase in outlay will be mainly on account of two factors: Linking wages under the scheme with...

The finance ministry has offered only a 12% increase in the budgetary support to the central plan for the coming fiscal against the Planning Commission's demand for an 18% hike. The plan panel sought higher support, citing increased requirement for the flagship schemes, particularly MGNREGA, or Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act . The North Block, constrained by its compulsion to return to fiscal consolidation and additional expenditure due...