CAG's NREGA report reveal poor implementation, use of funds

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has tabled its report on the Rural Employment Guarantee Act or NREGA, as it was utilised across India. CNN-IBN has accessed the report which says only 30 per cent of 129 lakh works worth over Rs 1.26 lakh crore approved in 14 states were completed.

Barely 30 per cent of NREGA works completed, while Bihar, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh used only 20 per cent of funds. Rural households' work is down from to 43 per cent from 54 per cent.

The Centre and the state governments, including Congress ruled states, both are responsible in not implementing rules, according to the report. CAG points out despite the audit nothing has come out of it. CAG recommends that shortfall of staff needs to be looked at.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. However, these 100 days declined to 43 days, according to CAG report.

The highest number of ghost workers - workers who exist only on paper - was found in Karnataka, while misappropriation of funds was highest in Assam. The report which covers the period from 2007 to 2012 also concludes that monitoring by the Centre is unsatisfactory. It also finds Block Development Officers issued cheques in their own names.