Tamil Nadu Congress chief claims Centre withholds ₹2,087 crore in rural wages

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president has accused the Union government of withholding approximately ₹2,087 crore earmarked for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) in the state. The allegation comes after information accessed through Right to Information (RTI) requests revealed significant delays in fund transfers, the party leader claimed.

The TNCC chief characterized the alleged fund retention as "step-motherly treatment" of Tamil Nadu by the Centre, suggesting a pattern of discriminatory financial allocation toward the state. According to the party, the RTI disclosures demonstrate ongoing delays that could impact rural employment guarantee programs in the state.

The MGNREGA, a flagship scheme guaranteeing 100 days of unskilled wage employment annually to rural households, relies on central fund transfers for implementation by state governments. Any delays in fund disbursement can directly affect wage payments to workers and the continuity of rural development projects.

The allegation adds to ongoing tensions between the state administration and the Centre over resource allocation and fund transfers. The party has called for immediate clarification and release of the withheld funds to ensure uninterrupted implementation of rural employment schemes across Tamil Nadu.