-The Telegraph
Labour payments under NREGA will continue to be less than minimum wages for agricultural labourers in four states, including Bengal, despite a recent rate revision in the rural job scheme.
Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh today tabled a statement in the Rajya Sabha on the revised wages that will take effect from next month.
Under the new NREGA rates, labourers in all states stand to gain, except those in Kerala, Bengal, Mizoram and Andhra. The new rates have been linked to the consumer price index for agricultural labourers and will be revised every year.
The NREGA daily wage is Rs 151 in Bengal. That is lower than Rs 167, the minimum wage for agricultural labourers in the state.