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Guidelines to Address High Deletion Rate of MGNREGS Job Cards

  • 25 Mar 2025

In March 2025, to tackle the large-scale deletion of job cards under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the Ministry of Rural Development issued new guidelines emphasizing transparency and verification through Gram Sabhas.

Key Points

  • Massive Deletions: Over 10.43 crore workers have been removed in four years, with a 247% rise in 2022-23, coinciding with the push for Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS).
  • Verification Process: Deletions must be approved by Gram Sabhas and listed in the public domain for at least 30 days to allow objections.
  • Reasons for Deletion: Valid reasons include migration, urbanization, duplication, forged documents, or death. Deletion for “not willing to work” requires a formal written request.
  • Right to Appeal: Gram Sabhas will convene twice a year to review flagged deletions, inform affected workers of their right to appeal, and record all proceedings.
  • Worker Dues: Before deletion, all pending wages must be cleared.