Centre Announces Increase in MGNREGA Wage Rates for FY 2024-25

New Delhi: The Centre has notified a 3-10 per cent increase in the wage rates for workers enrolled under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) for the financial year 2024-25. These revised wage rates are set to come into effect from April 1, 2024.

The average MGNREGA wage across the country for the fiscal year 2024-25 will be Rs 289, marking an increase from Rs 261 in 2023-24, representing a hike of Rs 28 per day.

The percentage increase in wage rates varies across states, ranging from 3 per cent for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to 10.56 per cent for Goa and 10.4 per cent for Karnataka. Notable increases have been allocated to Andhra Pradesh (10.29 per cent), Telangana (10.29 per cent), and Chattisgarh (9.95 per cent).

Currently, MGNREGA wages are linked to fluctuations in the rural inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index-Agriculture Labour.

The Ministry of Rural Development recently obtained permission from the Election Commission to announce the revised wage rates, considering the enforcement of the model code of conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Under the revised rates, workers in Haryana will receive the highest daily wage of Rs 374, while the lowest wage has been set for Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland at Rs 234 per day.

The Centre has earmarked Rs 86,000 crore for the MGNREGA scheme in the Union budget for the financial year 2024-25. This allocation underscores the government’s commitment to rural development and ensuring livelihood security for workers in rural areas.