MGNREGS: Central govt hikes daily wages

The revision in the wages has come into effect from January 1, said Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar, on Thursday.

The minister said State government had sent a proposal to increase the wages and the Centre had accorded its nod to it. The government has spent Rs 1,022 crore under the scheme this financial year. By the end of March this year, the total expenditure will go up to Rs 3,000 crore, he said.

Shettar said as many as 62 lakh people have got jobs under MGNREGS. Based on the complaints of bogus cards in circulation, the State government acted and identified about 13 lakh bogus job cards, which have now been cancelled.

Dharwad feted

The Dharwad District Administration has won the national award for effective implementation of MGNREGS. The award was given for improving the economic status of people belonging to SC/STs by giving them preference in execution of the scheme.