No provision for food for work under MNREGA: Govt

There is no provision under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGA) to provide food for work but requests received in this regard were under consideration, the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.

In a written reply, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said suggestions have been received by the government for utilising surplus foodgrains in the Central pool for distribution as part of wages for MNREGA workers.

"The objective (of the suggestion) is to enhance food security and raise nutritional levels of the most vulnerable population," he said.

However, he insisted that the suggestion is still under consideration.

The government has drawn a lot of flak for failing to provide jute bags and godowns for storage of foodgrains, resulting in rotting of wheat and other crops.

The Opposition has lamented that while there has been surplus production and grains are rotting several poor people do not get food.

UPA has also been mulling over bringing a Food Security Bill.

Ramesh said government cannot provide food for work under MNREGA and all payments are done in cash which is deposited in the bank or post-office accounts of the workers.