Lok Sabha Question No. 912 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-21
Subject: Unutilisation of Funds under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .912

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07 .201 6

## UNUTILISATION OF FUNDS UNDER MGNREGS

## 912. DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL "NISHANK":

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  total  amount  not  utilised  under  MGNREG  Scheme  in  various States across the country, State/UT - wise;
- (b) thedetails of instructions issued to the States by the Union Government for utilisation of these unutilised funds;
- (c) whether these steps have been effective;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether any mechanism has been put in place to keep a vigil on financial and actual progress  and  to  have  coordination  between  Union  Government  and  the  Sta Governments in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT ( SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV )

(a)to(d): The Central share of programme funds under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment  Guarantee  Act  (MGNREGA)  is  released  to  the  States/UTs  on  the  basis  o labour  demand  projected  in  the  respective  labour  budgets.  Utilisation  of  fund MGNREGA  depends  o n  the  actual  demand  for  wage  employment  in  the  implementing State/UTs.  The funds are utilized by the States/UTs out of the total availabili which includes opening balance, Centre share, State share and miscellaneous receipts

- (e): The  Ministry has  established  a  comprehensive  system  of  monitoring  and  revie mechanism for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The  evaluation  of  works  under  MGNREGA  is  regularly  done in  the Performance  Review  Committee  meetings,  Video  co nferences  and  weekly  meetings. State specific reviews of States are also undertaken from time to time. Officers of the Mi National Level Monitors also visit various districts to oversee the performance MGNREGA. During these reviews, the imple mentation aspects that need strengthening are identified including the areas for improvement in the quality of assets. The major steps taken by the Government to improve the programme implementation under MGNREGA are given in the Annexure.

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## Annexure referred in reply to part (e) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 912 dated 21.07.2016

## Major steps taken by the Government to improve the programme implementation under MGNREGA

## Better planning and asset identification

- An Intensive Participatory Planning Exercise (IPPE) /Mission Antyodaya has been launched in 2569 most backward blocks. This exercise has helped in identifying better quality assets that need to be created.
- For improving convergence with the line departments, and thereby to improve the quality of assets, the State Convergence Plans have been formulated. Improving the quality of works
- The associated outcomes of each work are being recorded before taking up th work, and the same is being measured after completion of the work - thereby bringing in more focus on outcomes.
- Ministry has conducted training of Technical Resource Persons from the States/UTs on different technical aspects of works which can be taken up un the scheme. States have been asked to train Block resource persons an d district resource persons to from technical teams.
- The States/UTs have been asked to deploy State Quality Monitors to inspect quality of assets created under the Scheme.
- States have been advised to engage technical assistants/barefoot engineers better technical planning and supervision of works under MGNREGA.

## Better transparency, accountability and grievance redressal

- States/UTs have been asked to strengthen Social audits of MGNREGS works in accordance with the provisions of the Audit of Scheme s Rules 2011 issued in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Social Audit Action Plan has been formulated and shared with States.
- All States have been requested to set up an independent Social Audit Unit ( and appoint Ombudsma n at the district level for grievance redressal.
- The Ministry has established a comprehensive system of monitoring and revie mechanism for MGNREGA, which, inter alia, include visits of the Officers of Ministry and National Level Monitors.
- With a view to avoid bogus attendance and to check instances of tempering an misuse of muster rolls, the e - Muster system has been introduced.

## Fund management and avoiding delays in payment

The Ministry has initiated Electronic Fund Management System (e - FMS) which directly credits the wages into the respective beneficiary's accounts using the core banking system. The Central Government has also started National Electronic Fund Management System(NeFMS) in 11 States (Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala Odisha Pu njab, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand) and launched Dashboard for trackin pending Fund Transfer Orders, Public Fund Management System, electronic Fund Management System, Direct Benefit Transfer etc.

## Project LIFE -MGNREGA

- The Government has launched Project Livelihood in Full Employment - Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Project LIFE -MGNREGA). It
- aims to plan and implement tailor - made livelihood interventions for rural households in convergence with National Rura l Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Deen Dayal Updhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojna (DDU - GKY) thereby, converting them into skilled persons.
- Focus on NRM and individual assets.

## Monitoring and Review Mechanism

- The Scheme is regularly eviewed in the Performance Review Committee meetings, Video conferences and Regional Review meetings. State specific reviews are als undertaken from time to time. Officers of the Ministry and National Level Moni also visit various districts to overs ee the performance of MGNREGA.