This is with reference to the report “Centre to step in Rajasthan MNREGS wage row” (Oct. 10) which cites the Union Rural Development Ministry Secretary Mr. B.K. Sinha as stating that the State Government of Rajasthan will have to pay the prescribed wage rate under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act/Scheme (MGNREGA) to workers under MGNREGA. This has not communicated the Union Secretary’s point of view correctly. The correct view is that under MGNREGA, workers’ wages are calculated as per the prescribed wage rates notified under 6(1) of the Act, and the Schedule of Rates (SoR) prescribed by the State Government for permissible works, but the amount of wages paid to the workers is based on the workers’ output as measured according to the SoR. Similarly, the Ministry has received suggestions for contributing to the provident fund for MGNREGA workers. However there is no decision on this matter as yet.
Amita Sharma,
Jt. Secretary,
Ministry of Rural Development,
Dept. of Rural Development,
New Delhi