No Cut In MGNREGA Budget Allocation, FM Nirmala Sitharaman Says During Odisha Visit

Bhubaneswar: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that there is no reduction in MGNREGA fund allocation in the Union Budget 2023, and the provision may increase with growing demand.

The Finance Minister, who arrived here on Thursday night on a two-day Odisha visit, attended a post-budget discussion in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Apart from interacting with various stakeholders from industry, trade, banking & insurance on the budget, Sitharam also addressed a press meet in Odisha capital.

Speaking at the press conference, the Finance Minister made it clear that the provision for MGNREGA has not been reduced in the budget for 2003-24.

Noting that it is a demand-driven programme, the Minister said the provision will go up as and when the demand grows. The government also wants to ensure that the fund is well spent, she said.

The Finance Minister further said that the GST compensation regime has been extended till 2026.

The Centre is also repaying the loans availed during the Covid-19 pandemic to distribute among the states. The states will not be affected as the GST revenue has also gone up post-pandemic, she added.

The Minister further said that the Centre has not reduced rice procurement. The MSP is directly sent to the bank accounts of the farmers to eliminate intervention of middlemen, Sitharaman added.