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Women from SC & ST categories, primary beneficiaries of MGNREGA in Himachal despite shrinking budget

Official says normative allocations under VB-G RAM G may decline and adversely affect the implementation; clause proposing a statutory pause on works during peak agricultural seasons can be a hurdle

3 min readUpdated: Dec 24, 2025 03:39 PM IST

Although the approved labour budget for Himachal under MGNREGA by the Government of India has declined from Rs 330 lakh in the financial year 2020-21 to Rs 250 lakh in 2025-26, the share of women in total person-days remained largely intact, ranging between 61.05 per cent in 2020-21 and 63.22 per cent in 2025-26.

Although the approved labour budget for Himachal under MGNREGA has declined, the share of women in total person-days remained largely intact. (Express File Photo)

Women, particularly from the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories, have been the primary beneficiaries of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Himachal Pradesh, with more than 60 per cent of the person-days generated under the scheme accruing to them.

Although the approved labour budget for Himachal under MGNREGA by the Government of India has declined from Rs 330 lakh in the financial year 2020-21 to Rs 250 lakh in 2025-26, the share of women in total person-days remained largely intact, ranging between 61.05 per cent in 2020-21 and 63.22 per cent in 2025-26.

The total central release for Himachal under MGNREGA has also decreased significantly: from Rs 963.69 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 756.13 crore in 2025-26. Correspondingly, the total person-days generated under the employment guarantee scheme have fallen sharply from Rs 336.19 lakh to Rs 170.05 lakh for the same period.

Currently, the state has 13.62 lakh active workers out of 28.31 lakh registered workers under the MGNREGA. Of the active workforce, 26.53 per cent belong to the Scheduled Caste category, while 6.24 per cent are from the Scheduled Tribe category.”

A senior officer of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, the implementing authority of MGNREGA in the state, said, “Himachal Pradesh has been among the better-performing states under the scheme despite its relatively small population.”

The officer, however, expressed “serious concern” over the new scheme Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), warning that “normative allocations may decline and adversely affect the implementation”.

(Normative allocation is a system where a central authority sets fixed, principled limits (norms) for funding or resource distribution to states/regions, shifting from demand-driven models. The VB-G RAM G replaces the labour budget with normative allocation.)

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“Our biggest concern is the clause that proposes a statutory pause on works during the peak agricultural seasons, including sowing and harvesting,” the officer said.

Explaining the state’s geographical and climatic constraints, the officer said, “In Himachal Pradesh, most developmental works, such as the construction of small link roads and water tanks in rural areas, are feasible only between September and December, and April and July. These periods overlap with agricultural seasons. During the remaining months, the state faces heavy monsoon rains, harsh winters and snowfall.”

“So far, Himachal Pradesh has recorded nearly 100 per cent performance under MGNREGA, with an annual expenditure of around Rs 1,000 crore. We apprehend that this expenditure could be reduced by up to 50 per cent under the new framework,” the officer said.

According to data compiled by the State Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department, the average cost per person per day under MGNREGA has increased from Rs 271.54 to Rs 329.11 over the past five years.

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Himachal Pradesh has 12 districts, 91 development blocks and 3,616 Gram Panchayats implementing MGNREGA. A total of 15.39 lakh job cards have been issued, covering 28.37 lakh workers. Of these, 9.27 lakh job cards and 13.65 lakh workers are currently active. Scheduled Caste workers constitute 26.52 per cent of the active workforce, while Scheduled Tribe workers account for 6.26 per cent.

On Monday, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department Secretary C Paul Rasu participated in a virtual meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to discuss the implementation of the new scheme in the state. Secretaries of Panchayati Raj departments from other states also attended the meeting.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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