CAG finds 44% of MGNREGA staff posts vacant in Bihar

This audit examined the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Bihar from 2019-20 to 2023-24, and the construction of embankments by the Water Resources Department, along with compliance issues in other departments for the period ended March 2024.

Who it concerns: Government of Bihar, specifically the Rural Development Department, Water Resources Department, Building Construction Department, Education Department, SC & ST Welfare Department, and Rural Works Department.

What the auditor found

• MGNREGA: 44% of sanctioned posts (6,086) were vacant as of November 2024.
• MGNREGA: ₹36.22 crore in unadjusted advances lying with agencies for over five years.
• MGNREGA: ₹6.95 crore in royalty and tax deducted from suppliers but not deposited to government accounts.
• MGNREGA: ₹735.10 crore in worker wages paid with delays of 16 to 90+ days.
• MGNREGA: 63% of works (76.27 lakh) remained ongoing/incomplete as of November 2024.
• MGNREGA: 96% of audit observations from social audits remained pending for settlement.
• Water Resources: None of the seven sampled embankment schemes were complete as of December 2024, despite ₹247.80 crore expenditure.
• Water Resources: Schemes delayed by up to 16 years due to land availability issues.
• Recommendations: Conduct baseline surveys, prepare District Perspective Plans, fill vacant Ombudsman posts, and conduct social audits at prescribed frequencies.

Also in the document

• CAG found that 44% of MGNREGA staff positions were vacant, including 80% of computer operator posts, despite previous warnings in 2021.
• CAG reported that 96% of findings from social audits of MGNREGA works were still pending settlement, indicating a lack of corrective action.
• CAG noted that ₹302.24 crore in liabilities for wages and materials had been pending from periods prior to 2019-20.
• CAG found that in three sampled districts, ₹5.65 crore was spent on river desilting works not included in the approved Annual Master Circular.