As per the revised wage rates for various states under the MGNREGA, Kerala has been given minimum wage of Rs 240 from Rs 229 last year, Karnataka Rs 224 from Rs 204, Tamil Nadu, Rs 203 from Rs 183, AP Rs 194 from Rs 180, Punjab Rs 218 from Rs 200 and Odisha remains the same at Rs 174 etc.
The problem for many of these states is that according to their own state laws, the minimum wages are far higher than those guaranteed under MGNREGA. Therefore, they are finding it highly difficult to attract labor according to MGNREGA wages.
For example, in Punjab, the daily wage for unskilled workers is Rs 300 whereas under MGNREGA, it is Rs 218 now.
The CM’s of various states had written to the Centre requesting that the wage rates be increased, but the revised rates show that their plea has fallen on deaf ears.
The Centre on its part feels that there is massive corruption in the scheme and hence its reluctance to agree for a substantial increase. But bringing greater transparency into the implementation of the scheme will go a long way towards solving the problem. Such unattractive wage rates defeat the very purpose of the scheme.
