The BJP-led central government has announced a wage rate hike ranging from 3 to 10 percent for MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) workers for the fiscal year 2024-25.
The revised wage rates, effective from April 1, 2024, closely mirror the rise declared for the ongoing financial year. Among the states, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will experience the smallest increase of 3 percent, while Goa is poised for the most substantial hike of 10.6 percent.
The average MGNREGA wage increase across India is ₹28 per day, bringing the average wage for 2024-25 to ₹289 as against ₹261 for FY’23-24.
In absolute terms, Haryana will get the maximum wage of ₹374 per day, while Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland will have the lowest at ₹234 per day.
The rural development ministry obtained clearance from the Election Commission to announce the revised wage rates amidst the implementation of the model code of conduct for the General Elections.
Last year, the ministry enacted a similar revision on March 24, 2023, showcasing varied increases across different states.
Earlier this year, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development highlighted concerns about inadequate wages not aligning with the rising cost of living and flagged variations in MGNREGA wages across states.
The Committee urged the Rural Development Ministry to explore revising the base year and base rate of the MGNREGA wage, currently calculated from 2009-10.
The Centre had allocated ₹86,000 crore for MGNREGA in the Union Budget 2024-25, matching the revised estimate for the ongoing financial year 2023-24. States can also provide a wage rate over and above the Centre’s notified rates for the beneficiaries.
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