Kerala is witnessing a significant drop in participation in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), prompting the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC) to launch an investigation. The state government is considering deploying resource persons from the Social Audit Department to conduct a study on why workers are quitting the scheme at such an alarming rate.
Over the past year, 1.43 lakh families and 1.86 lakh workers have opted out of MGNREGS in Kerala, contributing to a nationwide trend where 59 lakh families and 1.05 crore workers have dropped out.
Who Is Leaving and Why?
Women constitute 90% of Kerala’s MGNREGS workforce, with many aged between 60 and 80 years. A major reason for the decline is the aging workforce, with many elderly workers leaving due to health issues and, in some cases, deaths. The number of differently-abled workers has also fallen, from 2,572 in 2023-24 to 2,306 in 2024-25.
A concerning trend is that when a worker from a family quits or passes away, there is little to no replacement from the household. The younger generation is showing a clear disinterest in continuing with the scheme, preferring other job opportunities.
Stricter Regulations and Low Wages
The central government has introduced stricter guidelines for MGNREGS, partly due to repeated implementation failures in northern states. These changes have made participation more challenging in Kerala as well. Workers are now required to mark their attendance twice a day through an online system. Additionally, if they fail to complete assigned tasks within the given timeframe, their wages are reduced. Social audits have also been intensified, adding another layer of scrutiny.
Despite putting in a full day’s work, MGNREGS workers earn just ₹346 per day, which is significantly lower than what they can earn in other jobs. The post-Covid job market has offered better-paying opportunities, leading many workers to leave the scheme in search of improved financial stability.
The Future of MGNREGS in Kerala
Kerala has long been recognized for its sincere and effective implementation of MGNREGS. Currently, the state has 20.85 lakh active job cards and 24.85 lakh active workers across 941 gram panchayats. However, the ongoing dropout trend raises concerns about the future of the scheme.
The government’s planned study aims to identify the key factors behind this decline and explore possible solutions. Whether through wage revisions, policy changes, or improved working conditions, Kerala must act swiftly to sustain the rural employment program and prevent further worker exodus.
