Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticises congress for ‘spreading lies’ on MGNREGA

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently accused the Congress party of spreading false information about the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He said that the scheme has been effectively managed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, with a significant increase in budget allocation and improved direct benefit payments to workers.

MGNREGA budget and implementation

On Wednesday, Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized the Congress party for misleading Parliament about the rural jobs scheme, MGNREGA. He stated that the scheme has seen better implementation and increased financial support under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chouhan pointed out that in the financial year 2006-07, during the Congress-led government, the budget for MGNREGA was ₹11,300 crore. By 2013-14, it had increased to ₹33,000 crore. However, since the Modi government came to power, the budget for the scheme has steadily increased. The current financial year’s budget allocation for MGNREGA is ₹86,000 crore, the highest ever at the budget estimate stage.

He also mentioned that during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-21, the government spent a record ₹1,11,000 crore on MGNREGA to provide job security to rural workers who were struggling due to the lockdown and economic slowdown. According to Chouhan, this shows the government’s strong commitment to ensuring rural livelihood security.

Chouhan highlighted that the Modi government had improved the efficiency of the scheme by ensuring direct payments to workers’ bank accounts. This eliminated middlemen and reduced corruption, ensuring that the benefits reached the intended beneficiaries.

Between the financial years 2006-07 and 2013-14 (during Congress rule), MGNREGA created 1,660 crore person-days of work. In comparison, between 2014-15 and 2024-25 (under Modi’s government), the scheme created 3,029 crore person-days of work — an increase of 82%. Chouhan said this reflects the improved management and stronger execution of the scheme under the current government.

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Congress’s criticism and Chouhan's response

Chouhan’s statement came a day after Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi accused the Modi government of weakening MGNREGA. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Sonia Gandhi said that the government had systematically undermined the scheme and reduced the financial support for rural workers.

She demanded that the government increase the minimum wage under MGNREGA to ₹400 per day and raise the number of guaranteed workdays from 100 to 150 days a year. According to Sonia Gandhi, the current structure of MGNREGA is not sufficient to support rural families, especially after the financial difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In response, Chouhan strongly criticized the Congress for spreading false information. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Chouhan said, "The Congress’s lies have now reached from the streets to Parliament. For Congress, lies have become like oxygen. Even in the sacred temple of democracy, they do not hesitate to make misleading statements with half-truths."

He emphasized that the Modi government had strengthened MGNREGA by increasing financial support, improving transparency through direct transfers, and creating more work opportunities. Chouhan said that Congress’s claims were based on incomplete information and were intended to mislead the public and create political pressure.

Chouhan also stated that the government's focus is on providing long-term job security to rural workers. He said that apart from increasing the budget, the government has introduced better monitoring systems to prevent misuse of funds and ensure timely wage payments. He added that the increased number of person-days of work under MGNREGA is proof that the scheme is functioning better under Modi’s leadership than during Congress rule.

Chouhan’s remarks reflect the ongoing political debate over MGNREGA, which remains a key rural welfare scheme in India. While the Congress has accused the government of neglecting rural workers, the BJP claims that the scheme is now more efficient and better funded than before.

The demand for a higher minimum wage and increased workdays is likely to remain a central political issue, especially with upcoming elections. Farmers and rural workers continue to seek stronger financial support and better working conditions. The government's ability to address these demands while managing the fiscal impact will play a crucial role in shaping political support in rural areas.

The increased budget allocation for MGNREGA reflects the government's effort to balance rural welfare with financial sustainability. However, the political conflict between the BJP and Congress over the scheme’s implementation is expected to continue, with both sides trying to strengthen their position among rural voters.

The future of MGNREGA will depend on how effectively the government can implement the scheme, ensure direct payments to workers, and address the demands for higher wages and more workdays. The political and economic outcome of these decisions will influence the broader rural economy and the political landscape in the coming years.