The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has achieved significant milestones in the financial year 2024-25, marking its continued success in empowering rural communities and fostering sustainable development. Generating 187.5 crore person-days of employment, the scheme has provided livelihood opportunities to 4.6 crore rural households while creating over 56 lakh assets.
Union Minister of Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chauhan chaired a comprehensive review meeting on November 29, 2024, at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, to evaluate the scheme's performance. The Minister highlighted the importance of innovation and reforms to improve effectiveness, alongside strengthening transparency and accountability. Measures to prevent misuse of funds, ensure job card custody with beneficiaries, and prohibit machinery use at worksites were highlighted.
A substantial portion of MGNREGS expenditure, approximately 44%, has been allocated to agricultural and allied activities, with 55% focused on individual beneficiary works. This prioritization underscores the scheme’s focus on enhancing agricultural productivity and improving livelihoods for vulnerable families. Timely wage payments have been ensured, with 97% of fund transfer orders generated on time. An allocation of Rs 74,770.02 crore has been disbursed to states and UTs, with Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan among the top beneficiaries.
Women’s participation in the scheme remains a standout achievement, consistently exceeding 50% for the past five years. This highlights MGNREGS’s role in promoting inclusivity and empowering women in rural areas. Additionally, targeted interventions in natural resource management have led to a significant reduction in water-stressed blocks, from 2,264 in 2017-18 to 1,456 in 2023-24, demonstrating the scheme’s contribution to water security.
MGNREGS has embraced technology to improve monitoring and efficiency. Approximately 99% of wage payments are made through Aadhaar-based systems, and over 6.18 crore assets have been geotagged. The National Mobile Monitoring System App ensures attendance tracking at worksites, with 96% attendance recorded in October 2024. Regional training on the GIS-based Yuktdhara planning portal is underway to enhance scientific planning at the Gram Panchayat level.
Efforts to enhance social audits and monitoring mechanisms are currently in progress, with directives issued for the appointment of independent Social Audit Directors and Ombudspersons in all states and Union Territories (UTs). Additionally, over 68,000 Amrit Sarovars have been created, supporting the Mission Amrit Sarovar initiative aimed at rejuvenating water bodies.
