New Delhi: Nearly 2 lakhs workers in Bihar have not been paid wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for the past two months, with dues mounting to around Rs 850 crore, officials said.
The delay, attributed to a lack of funds from the central government, has caused widespread distress among workers and disrupted the implementation of rural employment projects across the state. According to the state’s rural development department, wage payments have been pending since January 14.
The funding shortfall has also affected material payments under the scheme, where outstanding dues have reached approximately Rs 4,300 crore. Although the centre released Rs 200 crore for materials last week, officials say the amount falls far short of what is required to sustain ongoing work.
As a result, projects are continuing with materials sourced on credit from local agencies, raising concerns about the sustainability of operations. The non-payment of wages has also led to a decline in worker participation, contributing to a reduction in total workdays generated this financial year.
Data from the department shows that in 2024-25, MGNREGA workers in Bihar logged more than 250 lakhs person-days of work. This year, the figure stands at about 215 lakhs so far, with projections suggesting it may cross 220 lakhs by the end of March—still around 30 lakhs fewer days than the previous year.
Currently, between 450,000 and 500,000 workers are engaged daily under the scheme in the state.
Shravan Kumar, Bihar’s rural development minister, said the state government has urged the centre to release pending funds for both wages and materials. He expressed hope that the dues would be cleared soon, allowing payments to reach workers without further delay.
The delay has renewed concerns about the timely disbursal of funds under one of India’s largest social welfare programmes, which serves as a critical safety net for rural households.
