Delay in release of MGNREGS fund resulted in salary delay

Mizoram Minister said that the amount payable to the employees was Rs 9.9 crore

Mizoram Rural Development Minister R Lalzirliana today informed the state Assembly that perpetual delays in release of fund for implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (MGNREGS) resulted in delay of payment of salaries to the employees under the scheme.

Replying to a query from Dr K Beichhua of the Mizo National Front (MNF), Lalzirliana said that shortage of fund hit implementation of the scheme and the state government had contemplated axing more than 100 employees.

"Instead of terminating the services of over 100 employees, the Rural Development department resorted to cutting down the salaries," he said.

Cutting of one-day wage from many villagers for payment of the MGNREGS employees would be recovered soon, he said.

He said that the state government has received Rs 139.04 crore during 2015-16 for MGNREGS of which Rs 93. 23 crore have been spent in all the eight districts of the state.

He admitted that the employees under the scheme were not paid their salaries for many months and the amount payable to the employees was Rs. 9.9 crore.