On one hand, there is politics over the renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) to V.B. Jiramji. On the other hand, the condition of this scheme is such that not only has MGNREGA’s fund in MP run out, but the central government owes Madhya Pradesh ?704.64 crore. Three separate detailed responses presented in the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, have revealed the actual state of rural development in the country, especially in Madhya Pradesh. These figures clearly show that Madhya Pradesh has made excellent use of the budget in several schemes, but challenges persist in schemes like MGNREGA and social assistance. MP’s Status – ‘Zero Balance’ in Housing and Roads Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin: 0.00 (entire fund spent) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana: 0.00 (entire fund spent) Skill Development (DDU-GKY): 0.00 Watershed Development: 0.00 (According to information given in Parliament, as of February 9, 2026, Madhya Pradesh had no money remaining in the following schemes) MNREGA: Work complete, but awaiting payment The figures that have emerged in response to questions from MPs Digvijaya Singh and Dr. John Brittas in the Rajya Sabha are startling: In the current financial year 2025-26 (as of February 9, 2026), Madhya Pradesh has a total outstanding liability of Rs 704.64 crore under MNREGA. This includes both wages and material components. MP does not have any money remaining in MNREGA’s ‘State Nodal Account’ (as of February 10 – a balance of -0.01997 lakh rupees), which indicates that the state urgently needs additional funds from the Centre. Trend of previous years: The amount received by Madhya Pradesh from the center has continuously increased. While 5711.77 crore rupees were received in 2022-23, this increased to 6252.03 crore rupees in 2024-25. Housing and Road Construction: Madhya Pradesh Nears Target The answer to MP Sanjay Singh’s question reveals that Madhya Pradesh is rapidly progressing in infrastructure development. In the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-G), Madhya Pradesh has zero (0.00) outstanding amount in this scheme. This directly means that the state has transferred the installments received from the center to the beneficiaries’ accounts or utilized them in construction works. On one hand, while there is a shortage of funds for housing and roads, on the other hand, an unspent amount of Rs 9,492.49 lakh (approximately Rs 94.92 crore) is lying with Madhya Pradesh under the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP). This amount is meant for the pensions of the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities. According to the ministry, this may also include the state’s own contribution (Top-up). Status of Other Important Schemes Digital India Land Records Modernization Program (DILRMP): Madhya Pradesh has a balance of Rs 26.34 crore available for the digitization of records. Skill Development: The state’s balance is zero in Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and Self-Employment Training (RSETI), meaning the funds have been fully utilized here as well. Mathematics of Central and State Share The Ministry clarified that the Centre bears 100% of the wage expenditure in MGNREGA, while in the case of material, the Centre bears 75% and the state 25% of the expenditure. Over the past 5 years, the Madhya Pradesh government has also released its share of funds from time to time, which amounted to approximately ?860.89 crore in 2024-25 (state’s share). MP Among Top States in the Country in Fund Utilization These three responses from the Rajya Sabha indicate that the Madhya Pradesh government is among the leading states in the country in terms of “Fund Utilization,” as the balance in most schemes is ‘zero’. However, the ?704 crore liability of MGNREGA is a major challenge. If funds are not released soon by the central government, there could be delays in wage payments in rural areas, which could affect the targets of ‘VB-Jiramji’ (upcoming mission). MGNREGA Funds Released by the Centre in the Last 3 Years State’s Own Share (for Material Component): Total Pending Liabilities at National Level (Major States): National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) – State-wise Outstanding Balance (Top States) Post navigation Fire breaks out in furniture factory:Five fire engines on spot as wooden stock fuels flames Himangi Sakhi named first transgender Shankaracharya with Pushkar as ‘peeth’:Pushkar declared peeth during Mahashivratri event in Bhopal
