AP minister seeks clearance of pending Rs 1,673 cr under MGNREGA from Centre

Alleging that much of the pending MGNREGA funds belonged to non-BJP ruled states, Andhra Pradesh Minister N Lokesh Wednesday demanded that the Centre clear dues of Rs 1,673 crore to his state.

He made the demand at a meeting with Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) wages need to be paid within 15 days. But payments have not been made in the last two-and-half months due lack of central funds, Lokesh said.

Lokesh, who holds the charge of IT, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Ministry in Andhra Pradesh, informed those in the meeting that the state has been implementing MGNREGA effectively and requested the Centre to release at least the wage component of Rs 498 crore out of the total dues.

Union Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal, several Telugu Desam Party (TPD) MPs and central officials were present in the meeting.

"After the discussion, the minister (Tomar) assured releasing of Rs 150 crore to the state. However, I told him that this amount is not sufficient. Then, the minister said to use the state budget and assured of reimbursing it later," Lokesh told reporters after the meeting.

The central government was informed that the Andhra Pradesh government is facing a fund crunch as it has to implement various development schemes.

"I requested the minister to release at least the wage component (Rs 498 crore). The minister assured that he will do his best after discussing with his officials," he said.

Out of the Rs 1,673 crore pending amount under the MGNREGA, wages are Rs 498 crore, material is Rs 1,175 crore, Lokesh said, adding that the past pending amount of Rs 1,350 crore was also due.

After the meeting, a senior Rural Development Ministry official told PTI, "We have got an additional budget allocation of Rs 6,000 crore for MGNREGA. The Andhra Pradesh government's entitled liabilities will be settled. There is no issue. It is an ongoing process."
Asked about BJP accusing the TDP of diverting NREGA funds, the Andhra Pradesh minister dismissed the accusation and said, "We are not paying it to our workers, we are paying those working under the scheme."
Asked about alleged land allotment to a leading IT firms, Lokesh said, "Is it is wrong to allot land to HCL? As per the policy, I will give land at a lower rate. If it brings another 10 companies, I will give land to them at a lower rate."