The states of Punjab and Haryana are waiting for the Central Government to release ₹376.60 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) as of July 16.

According to data shared in the Lok Sabha by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Punjab is owed ₹331.48 crore and Haryana ₹45.12 crore. These dues include both wage payments for workers and costs of materials used in development works.

MGNREGS is a demand-based rural employment program. States send fund requests to the Centre based on ground-level needs. The minister said that fund disbursal is a continuous process and the government is committed to providing financial support to states and Union Territories as required.

Several other states are also awaiting funds. Andhra Pradesh has the highest pending dues at ₹2,864.31 crore, followed by Uttar Pradesh (₹1,765.15 crore), Rajasthan (₹1,687.39 crore), and Bihar (₹1,680.13 crore).

This financial year, the Centre has already released ₹44,323 crore to states, including payments to clear last year’s pending bills. As per MGNREGS rules, the Centre pays 100% of wage and administrative costs, and 75% of material costs — with states covering the remaining 25%.

The minister also clarified that workers’ wages are paid directly into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. Payments are processed daily using the Public Financial Management System (PFMS), once states upload the necessary fund transfer orders (FTOs).

Although there is no exact date for when Punjab and Haryana’s dues will be cleared, the minister said the fund release is updated daily and depends on the states’ spending and proper documentation.