The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) reported that only 52.81% of the 25.72 lakh works approved under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Maharashtra from 2019-20 to 2023-24 were completed. Out of the completed works, Rs 6,725.65 crore was spent, while Rs 5,361.02 crore was spent on incomplete works.
Around 7.10 lakh approved works had not even started by March 2025, with 35% of them pending for more than three years. Additionally, 19.57% of the incomplete works had been pending completion, with 21% of them delayed for over three years.
The report highlighted that as per MGNREGS guidelines, work should be provided within 15 days of demand registration. If not, unemployment allowance should be paid to registered households. However, only Rs 2,268 out of Rs 34.85 lakh due as unemployment allowance was paid during the period.
The social audit of the works was found deficient, with significant shortfalls in gram panchayats. Recovery action in misappropriation cases was pending, and the report noted insufficient funds for social audits, impacting public vigilance. The Maharashtra State Employment Guarantee Council did not hold regular meetings, affecting quality monitoring of works.
