MGNREGS wages to go up? Scheme likely to get Rs 10,000-cr push

To boost rural income, the government could raise the total MGNREGA Budget for 2020-21 to Rs 70,000 crore. In 2019-20 (FY20), it was Rs 60,000 crore

The Union government might announce a 8-10 per cent increase in average wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Act (MGNREGA) by linking these to an updated inflation index, the revamped consumer price index — agriculture labour (CPI-AL).

This is part of a government plan to consolidate existing welfare schemes for farmers such as PM-KISAN and MGNREGA. Sources in the government said it had decided to go for consolidation as it is reeling from dwindling resources.

Officials said in agriculture, the thrust would be on expanding the network of cold storages and warehouses by giving them some tax