MGNREGA Workers in Jharkhand Await Wages for Months Amid Treasury System Glitch

Ranchi: Thousands of MGNREGA workers across Jharkhand have been left waiting for their wages for over eight to ten months, as persistent technical glitches in the state’s e-treasury system continue to stall payments. The issue has severely affected fund transfers made through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS) — the central mechanism designed to ensure direct benefit transfers to workers’ bank accounts.

According to sources, despite repeated interventions by the Rural Development Department, the problem remains unresolved. The department had earlier instructed district administrations to clear pending payments before the Chhath festival, but more than 2,000 workers are still awaiting their honorarium.

The APBS system, introduced by the Central Government on January 1, 2024, was aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in wage disbursement under MGNREGA and other welfare schemes. The system eliminates the role of intermediaries by crediting funds directly to beneficiaries.

However, the ongoing technical snags have raised concerns among rural workers and local bodies alike. Many fear that continued delays could dampen confidence in the government’s flagship rural employment scheme, especially at a time when demand for work is rising ahead of the festive season.