Himachal MGNREGA: 1.71 Lakh Spillover Works Pending, Rural Employment and Development Affected
In Himachal Pradesh, for the financial year 2025-26, 1,71,841 spillover works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) have been identified. These works were approved in previous years but could not be completed on time and are now being carried forward. This revelation comes from the Ministry of Rural Development’s report on MGNREGA works in Himachal Pradesh.
According to the report, the largest number of spillover works are on private land, totaling 1,46,653. Other works include rural connectivity (11,110), land development (3,336), water conservation and harvesting (2,651), and renovation of traditional water sources (295). Additionally, 4,305 works are related to flood control and protection.
District-wise pending works
Mandi district has the highest number of pending works at 34,698, followed by Chamba (26,863) and Kangra (26,155). Shimla has 19,211, Kullu 17,299, and Lahaul-Spiti 378 pending works. All 12 districts of the state have incomplete works in some category.
Impact on rural employment
These incomplete works are directly affecting rural employment, infrastructure, and farmer-related development programs. Many projects at the Panchayat level have been pending for a long time, preventing local residents from receiving the intended benefits.
Minister’s statement
Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh said that the major reason for the spillover of MGNREGA works is the delay in the release of wages and material funds from the central government. Due to this, Panchayats are unable to pay wages or purchase construction materials.
Transgender registration and non-performance report
Following discrepancies in transgender registration under MGNREGA, the Rural Development Department has launched an investigation. According to the report, 131 transgender persons are registered in Himachal Pradesh, including 31 from Mandi, 24 from Shimla, 18 from Kangra, 14 from Sirmaur, 15 from Chamba, 10 from Solan, 5 from Hamirpur, 4 from Una, 6 from Bilaspur, 2 from Kinnaur, and 2 from Kullu.
The report also revealed that 655 gram panchayats in Himachal did not create a single workday under MGNREGA in December. Out of 3,616 panchayats, these failed entirely in generating workdays, while 77 panchayats did not spend any budget under MGNREGA.
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