Chennai: The Union government has approved ₹2,100 crore for Tamil Nadu to clear pending wage payments under the rural job scheme, MGNREGS. The money has been released under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (VB-GRAMG) support system to help settle unpaid dues to workers.
This decision comes at a time when there has been tension between the Centre and the State over delays in fund allocation and changes in the funding pattern of the rural employment scheme. The Tamil Nadu government had repeatedly said that workers were not getting their wages on time due to a shortage of funds from the Centre.
In January, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution opposing the VB-GRAMG system. The State demanded that the Centre provide regular and uninterrupted funds directly for the MGNREGS programme. The government said delays were affecting lakhs of poor families who depend on the scheme for daily income.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had earlier alleged that more than ₹2,000 crore in wages were pending. He said the delay was causing hardship for rural workers and their families, especially those who rely on the scheme for basic needs like food and education.
MGNREGS provides at least 100 days of paid work every year to rural households. It is meant to support poor families and create local jobs. Any delay in payments directly affects the livelihoods of workers.
With the release of ₹2,100 crore, the State government hopes that all pending wages will be cleared soon. Officials said the funds will be used to ensure that workers receive their payments quickly and that the scheme runs smoothly in the coming months.