CAG finds 18.26 lakh households missed MGNREGS employment in Chhattisgarh

This audit examined the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Chhattisgarh for the period from 2019-20 to 2023-24. It assessed planning, employment generation, financial management, and monitoring to ensure accountability and livelihood security.

Government of Chhattisgarh, specifically the Panchayat and Rural Development Department (PRDD) and the Chhattisgarh Rural Employment Guarantee Council.

• EPF contributions of ₹29.62 crore remained unpaid for April 2015 to March 2023, resulting in accumulated liabilities of ₹84.59 crore including penalty and interest.
• ₹2.22 crore budgeted for unemployment allowances during 2019-24 was entirely surrendered with no expenditure incurred, despite a shortfall of 18.26 lakh households not receiving employment.
• Only ₹42.55 crore out of ₹58.68 crore earmarked for Social Audit was utilized, and 45% of sanctioned posts in the Social Audit Unit remained vacant.
• 86% of works in test-checked Gram Panchayats were undertaken without mandatory Gram Sabha approval.
• 97% shortfall in training and capacity-building initiatives against targets.
• 21% human resource shortage, particularly of technical assistants and Gram Rozgar Sahayaks.
• Recommendations include notifying baseline household data, ensuring Gram Sabha approval for works, timely wage disbursement, and providing adequate manpower for social audits.

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