'MGNREGA crisis deepening': NSM demands fair wages and end to digital exclusions

By A Representative

The NREGA Sangharsh Morcha (NSM), a coalition of independent unions of MGNREGA workers, has warned that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is facing a “severe crisis” due to persistent neglect and restrictive measures imposed by the Union Government.

At a press conference in Delhi, NSM leaders accused the government of “chronic underfunding, arbitrary digital interventions, and political vendetta,” which they said were undermining the programme and stripping workers of their rights.

“Budget cuts have crippled the programme, wages are abysmally low, and lakhs of workers are being excluded through faulty digital systems. What was once a demand-driven rights-based programme has been reduced to a top-down welfare scheme,” the Morcha said.

Citing Ministry of Rural Development data, NSM pointed out that 60% of the annual budget — ₹51,521 crore — had already been exhausted by August 2025, leading to delays in wage payments and suppression of work demand. The Morcha also noted that wages remain below statutory agricultural minimum wages in 27 states and UTs. “Our demand is clear — every NREGA worker must get at least the minimum wage of their state, and the government must move towards a dignified wage of ₹800 per day,” NSM declared.

The coalition strongly opposed the mandatory use of the NMMS attendance app and Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS), calling them “ill-designed technologies that have denied both wages and work to millions.” It cited cases of mass job card deletions and wage denials due to minor Aadhaar mismatches. “Workers have been demanding rollback of NMMS for over two years. Instead of reducing corruption, it has increased misuse and harassment,” NSM said, demanding immediate scrapping of NMMS and withdrawal of ABPS mandation.

The Morcha also condemned the Union Government’s continued suspension of MGNREGA in West Bengal, in defiance of a Calcutta High Court order to resume the scheme by August 1, 2025. “This is nothing short of political vendetta at the cost of workers’ survival. If corruption is the issue, strengthen social audits and grievance redressal systems, don’t punish lakhs of workers,” the speakers said.

Speakers at the press conference included Mukesh of Rajasthan Asangathit Mazdoor Union, Rambeti of Sangatin Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan, Anuradha Talwar of Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity, Shankar of Dalit Bahujan Front and Mandeshwari of Samaj Parivartan Shakti Sangathan.

“The government is abdicating its constitutional duty and dismantling one of the most important safety nets for rural workers. NREGA is not a dole, it is a legal right won through long struggles. We will continue to resist its dilution,” NSM affirmed.

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