*Despite the release of funds, MGNREGA arrears remain unpaid to workers*

Tadepalli, April 27: YSRCP Panchayat Raj Wing State President Vennapoosa Ravindra Reddy questioned the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government and Union Minister Pemmasani over the non-payment of MGNREGA wage arrears, asking into whose accounts the released funds have been credited. Speaking to the media at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, he said that while the minister thanked the Centre for releasing funds, not a single worker in the state appears to have received pending wages. He stated that the issue of wage arrears did not even come to the government’s notice until Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy raised it publicly on April 21, after which YSRCP organised statewide protests at collectorates demanding justice for workers.

He stated that under the YSRCP government, the Panchayat Raj system was strengthened and employment was consistently provided, even during the COVID period, with 47.52 lakh families receiving over 21.85 crore person-days in 2020–21, 24.14 crore in 2021–22, and 25.54 crore in 2023–24. In contrast, under the current coalition government, employment has sharply declined, with only 18.59 crore person-days generated for 42.85 lakh families in 2025–26. He alleged that the scheme is being weakened to benefit political interests while rural workers are forced into distress and migration.

Ravindra Reddy further pointed out that as per MGNREGA law, wages must be paid within 15 days, yet payments have not been made since December, with arrears reportedly mounting to Rs. 1,805 crore. He demanded that the government and the Union Minister clearly explain where the released funds have gone and ensure immediate payment of wages to the workers.