Bihar alleges 20 per cent cut in fund under MGNREGA

PATNA: Accusing the NDA government in the Centre of "discriminating" with Bihar, the state government today alleged there has been about 20 per cent cut in release of fund under MGNREGA to it in the current year.

"While a sum of over Rs 1582 crore was given to Bihar by November last time its only over Rs 769 crore by November this time," a statement from state Rural Development Department said here.

It said inadequate availability of fund was impacting implementation of the employment guarantee scheme and also causing problem in payment of wages to beneficiaries.

"By end of December month, the due of the state on the Centre would pile up to Rs 1335 crore under MGNREGA," it said.

The statement said that work under MGNREGA scheme has been stalled in the state in the last three months.

It said that for the financial year 2014-15, the state has sent a proposal of Rs 13.01 crore man days under the programme but the Union government has sanctioned only Rs 8.48 crore to the state.

Birendra Singh is the Union minister for Rural Development while Ramkripal Yadav, who hails from Bihar, is Minister of State in the ministry.