Centre to review spending pattern of rural job scheme ahead of Budget

The October work demand under the scheme, according to the MGNREGS website, is the lowest in a month so far in this financial year

The Centre has formed a high-level panel headed by a former bureaucrat to undertake a comprehensive review of the flagship rural job guarantee scheme’s expenditure pattern, governance structure, and administrative issues with an aim to plug loopholes and leakages. 

The move comes ahead of the Budget, with questions over the hefty allocation for the scheme despite resumption of normal economic activity.

Sources said the panel, formed in October, is slated to submit its report by January, just before the 2023-24 Union Budget is placed in Parliament in February.

The review is a pan-Indian exercise that will also look at areas