Punjab, Haryana await Rs 376-crore MGNREGA dues

The states of Punjab and Haryana are awaiting the release of funds from the Centre under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), with combined pending dues amounting to Rs 376.60 crore as of July 16.

According to official data shared by Union Minister of Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the Lok Sabha, Punjab has pending liabilities of Rs 331.48 crore, while Haryana’s dues stand at Rs 45.12 crore. These include both wage payments for workers and material cost for the works undertaken.

The MGNREGS is a demand-driven wage employment programme, under which states submit fund release proposals to the Centre based on actual field requirements. Chouhan informed the House that fund release is a continuous process, and the government is committed to providing resources to states and Union Territories as per demand.

Across the country, several states are awaiting the release of central funds. Andhra Pradesh tops the list with pending dues of Rs 2,864.31 crore, followed by Uttar Pradesh (Rs 1,765.15 crore), Rajasthan (Rs 1,687.39 crore) and Bihar (Rs 1,680.13 crore).

So far this financial year, the Centre has released Rs 44,323 crore to states, including amounts to settle previous year’s liabilities. Under MGNREGS guidelines, the Centre bears 100 per cent of the wage and administrative costs, while 75 per cent of material costs are borne by the Centre and the remaining 25 per cent by the states.

The minister also clarified that wages were paid directly to workers through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) system, into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. Payments are processed daily via the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) once states upload fund transfer orders (FTOs) after due procedures.

While no official timeline was given for clearance of Punjab and Haryana’s dues, the minister indicated that fund flow was updated daily, and disbursements were based on states’ utilisation and documentation.