Centre issues half of rural job guarantee scheme allocation

Pending dues cleared; water conservation to take priority, states told

The central government says it released about 49 per cent of the 2017-18 Budget allocation of Rs 48,000 crore for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (MGNREGS).

The financial year began on April 1. Part of the amount released on Monday will be used to clear pending dues of Rs 10,546 crore. It would also help in prioritising water conservation measures.

According to an official statement, the amount released included all pending liabilities as on end-March. These are on account of pending wages, of Rs 4,926 crore, material expenditure amounting to Rs 5,430 crore and Rs 189 crore for administrative