Strong pitch for hike in NREGS base wage rate

New Delhi: A parliamentary panel has pitched for adequate allocation for the rural job scheme, highlighting that fund constraints at the Budget estimate stage have a "cascading effect" on key aspects - including timely transfer of wages and release of funds for materials - and a "telling impact" on the progress of the scheme.

The standing committee on rural development & panchayati raj has called for an upward revision of the base wage rate under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. At the same time, it has suggested that the base year used for computing wage growth be updated from the current 2009-10 to reflect today's reality.

DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi is the chairperson of the committee. The introduction to the report, however, is written by its acting chairperson and BJP leader Janardan Mishra.

"Observing the quantum of wages since 2008, the committee finds the wages inadequate and not in consonance with the rising cost of living," the panel pointed out.