Maharashtra Assembly Walkout Over Pending MGNREGS Payments

In a dramatic session on Wednesday, the Maharashtra assembly witnessed a walkout by Opposition members protesting unpaid dues under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The issue was spotlighted by BJP MLA Narayan Kuche, who mentioned that around 600 wells were dug in his constituency under the scheme, yet farmers await payments for skilled labor.

The contentious topic unfolded during Question Hour, with state minister Shambhuraj Desai revealing that Rs 2,800 crore in skilled work dues remain pending, although Rs 1,035 crore have been cleared. Desai assured that the newly implemented SPARSH system would stabilize and expedite payments within a month.

Congress MLA Nitin Raut demanded immediate resolution, especially in districts like Gadchiroli, where MGNREGS is vital. Opposition figures like NCP MLA Prakash Solanke and Shiv Sena’s Bhaskar Jadhav criticized the government's delay in payments, accusing it of neglecting the farmers' plight, ultimately leading to their protest walkout.