So far Rs 30,000 cr has been allocated to the states under this scheme which is almost 78% of the total budget
Workers 'expressed concern' at the 'meagre' hike as they felt that the central government was facing 'paucity of funds'
Fund release will take care of pending wage liability of states for FY16 and help them run the programme during FY17
Ministry sources said that this is the biggest amount for the scheme released in one go by the ministry
They apprehend the new rates would not be able to attract labourers because they are still below the existing minimum wages fixed by the states
'Modi said its the worst scheme possible but won't bring an end to it for the world to see Congress' mistake,' Gandhi said
MNREGA guarantees 100 days of work a year to 52 mn people; that means about 260 mn (considering an average family of five) will depend on it over the next 20 years