The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Rural Development Ministry is likely to notify revised wage rates under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) for the upcoming financial year starting April 1st. Although officials refrained from commenting due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections, sources indicate the move has received clearance from the Election Commission, as it is considered a “routine” matter.
Sources revealed that ministries approach the Election Commission for clearances when the Model Code is in force, as the Centre determines MGNREGA wage rates through notifications under the relevant Act. The revision of wage rates is a regular process carried out annually from April 1st.
However, retired IAS officer EAS Sarma has written to the Chief Election Commissioner and the two Election Commissioners, raising concerns about potential violations of the Model Code. Sarma highlighted that while a similar clearance was granted in 2019 for notifying MGNREGA wage changes, the Election Commission had directed that no publicity should be given to the hike through the media, and no political functionaries should refer to it, imposing restrictions on both the Centre and states.
Sarma stated, “I am sure that the Commission’s latest clearance stipulated similar conditions. If not, it is necessary for the Commission to impose such restrictions.” He alleged that the concerned Ministry has “deliberately or otherwise” provided details of the wage revision to the media, violating the Model Code of Conduct.
Sarma urged the Election Commission to investigate the matter urgently and take exemplary action if necessary. He also sought restrictions on political functionaries from referring to the wage hike or parties from putting up posters with political functionaries’ pictures, similar to the restrictions imposed in 2019.
The last revision in MGNREGA wages was notified on March 24, 2023, with the increase in wages for different states varying from 2% to 10%. A Parliamentary Standing Committee report earlier this year had pointed out the high variation in MGNREGS wages across states and stated that the wages were inadequate and not in consonance with the rising cost of living.
While the Centre maintains that the wage revision is a routine exercise, concerns have been raised about potential violations of the Model Code of Conduct, highlighting the need for impartial implementation and adherence to electoral guidelines.