MGNREGS workdays cut, hurting rural jobs in Karnataka

Bengaluru: The central government has made a significant cut to the number of workdays available under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The allocation for Karnataka has been reduced from 13 crore to 9 crore person days, which is a 30% decrease. This decision comes just as summer approaches, a time when farming work decreases and many rural laborers rely on such job schemes. The Karnataka government is unhappy with this reduction and claims the central government has been unfair in its funding decisions. Priyank Kharge, the state’s rural development minister, stated that this cut is part of broader funding reductions affecting multiple programs. He accused the Union government of neglecting employment needs in the state. Karnataka had asked for an increase to 15 crore person days due to high demand for rural jobs, but the request was not met. Traditionally, Karnataka has used around 13 crore person days each year, with numbers rising during the pandemic. Kharge emphasized the need to restore at least the previous amount. Additionally, data shows the central government still owes Karnataka Rs 513 crore in wages since February and Rs 375 crore for materials. The state government plans to release Rs 125 crore to help with these payments. The cuts and delayed payments have raised concerns about job opportunities in rural areas, and the state government is seeking to challenge these decisions to prevent job losses.