States » SouthPosted at: Dec 17 2025 10:16AM


Kerala Minister warns Centre’s new Bill threatens MGNREGS, could cost State Rs 1,600 cr

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 17 (UNI) Kerala’s Minister for Local Self Government, MB Rajesh, has alleged that the union Government is attempting to dismantle the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) through a proposed bill that abandons the Centre’s responsibility to provide guaranteed rural employment.
According to Rajesh, the legislation strikes at the very core of MGNREGS by shifting 40 per cent of the expenditure burden to states, which could result in an annual loss of around Rs 1,600 crore for Kerala. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the bill, warning that Kerala would be among the worst-affected states if the amendments are implemented.
Introduced under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, MGNREGS guarantees 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households willing to undertake unskilled manual work. The scheme was launched in Kerala in 2006 and expanded statewide by 2008, emerging as a cornerstone of poverty alleviation and livelihood security.
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Tags: #Kerala Minister warns Centre’s new Bill threatens MGNREGS# could cost State Rs 1#600 cr
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