Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Urges Immediate Release of MGNREGS Dues from Centre

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, accompanied by DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Monday to address the issue of pending funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Thennarasu urged the central government to immediately release Rs 1,056 crore, which had been pending for several months.

The Tamil Nadu government has made several formal requests for the release of these funds, with Chief Minister M. K. Stalin also writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this month, emphasizing the urgency of the issue. The delay in releasing these funds has caused concern in the state, especially in rural areas where MGNREGS plays a crucial role in providing employment and livelihood support to marginalized sections of society.

Thennarasu and Karunanidhi presented their case to Sitharaman, stressing that the immediate release of these dues is necessary to ensure the continuation of development and welfare activities in Tamil Nadu. The funds are expected to provide financial assistance to rural workers who depend on the MGNREGS for employment.

The Finance Minister’s office posted a picture of the meeting, showing the delegation in discussion with Sitharaman, and reiterated the importance of resolving the issue promptly. The state government has also made provisions in its budget to address the needs of the rural workforce and continue infrastructural projects under MGNREGS.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the state and the central government regarding the timely disbursement of funds allocated for welfare programs. This development comes at a time when Tamil Nadu is focusing on increasing rural employment opportunities and improving infrastructure in remote areas. The state’s rural development efforts have often been hampered by delays in central funding, affecting thousands of beneficiaries.

As the central government deliberates on the matter, Tamil Nadu remains hopeful that the MGNREGS dues will be released soon to alleviate the financial stress faced by rural communities across the state.