In its report, the Standing Parliamentary Committee has advocated uniformity of wages received under MNREGA. Recently, the Center has announced to increase the wages received under MNREGA.
Recently, the government has made a slight increase in the existence under MNREGA.
The central government has increased the wages for each state by an average of 4 per cent under the MNREGA. For the financial year 2021-22, there has been an increase of Rs 23 in MGNREGA wages in Meghalaya. Now it has increased to Rs 226. Whereas, in Rajasthan there has been an increase of 1 rupee. In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the minimum wage has increased by 3 rupees. Many people also raised questions on this slight increase. Now the standing parliamentary committee says that the wages received under the MNREGA should be uniformized across the country.
Currently it is different for all states. However, in a media report quoting government sources, it is said that at present, the central government is not going to make any change in wages for MNREGA.
Center is not in the mood for equal wages
The central government is not going to notify any change in annual wages nor state-wise wages according to the retail inflation rate. In the report quoting government sources, it has also been said that while preparing this law, such cases have been taken care of very carefully in the Act.
What is the reasoning of the Standing Committee
In a report issued by the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Rural Development for the demand for grant for the financial year 2021-22, there has been talk of inequality in wages due to MGNREGA wages. This report states, “It is still inconceivable that different parts of the country have different criteria for the same scheme.” It also argues for equal payment for a similar work under Article 39 of the Constitution.
It further states that due to this reason there should not be different wages in different states under MNREGA. The parliamentary committee says that inequality in wages to MNREGA beneficiaries should be eliminated. This should provide uniform wages under MNREGA in states and union territories.
Why the government cannot provide uniform wages
In this report, quoting a government source, it has been said that it is not practical for all states to bring equality in MNREGA existence. The economic situation of every state and expectations from MNREGA are different there. Minimum wages cannot be given to everyone under MNREGA. This is one such scheme of the government, under which employment should be guaranteed. Depending on the demand for agriculture and other activities, it is decided that how many people will get employment.
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