Centre and TG data differ, state Panchayat Raj officials say AP’s figures also reflected in their account

Total Funds Allocated to TG under CSS

■  2022-23: Rs 12,977.75 crore

■  2023-24: R s 13,694.28 crore

Mahesh Avadhutha  I hyderabad

The allocations to Telangana under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) have raised questions due to conflicting figures reported by the Union Ministry of Planning and the Panchayat Raj Department of Telangana.

According to the Union Ministry of Planning, the allocations under MNREGS for Telangana were Rs 8,264.79 crore for the financial year 2022-23 and Rs 9,193.15 crore for 2023-24.

These figures revealed in response to an unstarred question by Warangal MP Kadiyam Kavya in the winter session of Parliament, indicate the lion’s share, of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme funds to Telangana, was dedicated to rural employment scheme during these years.

However, Telangana's Panchayat Raj Department has disputed these figures, claiming that MNREGS funds from the Centre have never exceeded Rs 5,000 crore per year in the last five years.

Officials suggest a significant gap between the figures declared by the Centre and the actual receipts, sparking concerns about potential inconsistencies in fund disbursement or reporting.

According to the Telangana PR department, the state got Rs 2402 crore allocation from the Centre for MNREGS in 2019-20, Rs 4552 crore in 2020-21, Rs 4725 crore in 2021-22, Rs 3507 crore in 2022-23 and Rs 3844 crore for the year 2023-24.

Senior officials, after analyzing the Centre’s and state’s data, have indicated that Andhra Pradesh’s share for the MNREGS allocation was also included in Telangana’s account and hence the bigger figure for both years.

If we examine the figures for 2022-23, the Centre’s data showed nearly Rs 8264 crore was allocated for MNREGS in Telangana, while the state’s actual figure was at Rs 3500 crore. The difference amount of over Rs 4800 crore is the allocation that went to Andhra Pradesh state, but reflected in Telangana’s data, was the observation from the state PR department officials.

Sharing his view a senior Audit and Accounts officer from Hyderabad pointed out that the discrepancy calls for a detailed audit to reconcile differences between Central and State-reported figures.

The figures have to be cross-checked with the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) of India data that is available in the public domain. Accordingly, the union ministry has to explain the reasons for the mismatch in figures, the official felt.

This mismatch highlighted the need for enhanced transparency and better coordination between the state and central authorities.