Bhubaneswar: To ensure timely release of payments to the workers, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has demanded timely release of Rs.1088.72 crore fund pending under MGNREGA for Odisha.
Writing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister has expressed gratitude for taking robust measures for economic revival of rural areas in the post pandemic period.
He drew the attention of the Prime Minister about pending dues of Rs.1088.72 crore (Rs.377.91 crore as wage component and Rs.710.81 Crore as material component) under MGNREGA for Odisha.
“Timely payment of wages to the poor jobseekers is the fundamental guarantee under the MGNREG Act. Similarly, timely release of payment for material is critical for creation of tangible and durable assets under MGNREGS,” the CM said.
He urged the PM to ask the Ministry of Rural Development for timely release of funds for wage and material payment under MGNREGA.
Mr.Patnaik also requested Mr.Modi to enhance the labour budget of Odisha under MGNREGS to 25 crore person days for the current year 2021-22.
“I would like to further draw your kind attention that a significant number of returnee migrants have stayed back due to reduced level of economic activities during the Covid pandemic. This has led to demand for wage employment under MGNREGS in villages,” he added.
