Panchayats facing crisis as material costs for MGNREGS in previous financial year yet to be disbursed

Even as Keralam, just like the rest of the States, has shifted to Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB–G RAM G], the Union government is yet to disburse to the panchayats material costs of works taken up under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the previous financial year.

According to the office bearers of the Kerala Grama Panchayat Association, who met Local Self Government Department Minister K.M. Shaji earlier this week to raise the issue, most of the panchayats in the State are facing a crisis, with contractors demanding payment for their bills. The total material costs owed to the panchayats in the State is estimated at over ₹500 crore.