Financial Burden on Jharkhand Set to Rise; Deepika Pandey Singh Raises Voice Against 40% State Share
Date: April 18, 2026
Ranchi: During a video conference (VC) chaired by Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan—held to discuss the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the "Viksit Bharat Gram Yojana"—Jharkhand's Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Deepika Pandey Singh, strongly presented the state's stance. She characterized the mandatory 40% state contribution as an additional financial burden on Jharkhand.
She stated that outstanding dues in the state currently amount to ₹950 crore for materials, ₹300 crore for wages, and ₹36 crore under administrative heads, emphasizing the urgent need for their prompt disbursement. Furthermore, she put forward demands to increase wage rates, ensure 150 days of employment instead of the current 100 days, and relax the existing rule regarding the 60-day leave limit.
The Minister asserted that the combination of pending payments and new provisions is fueling growing discontent among laborers; therefore, the Central Government must take a swift decision on this matter.
