Lack of transparency at the gram panchayat level is the biggest undoing of the MGNREGA. With the sarpanch being the all-powerful entity in the implementation of the scheme, it suits him/her to withhold information such as the number of works sanctioned, number of days worked by villagers and wages paid to them.

Keeping in mind the leakage of the funds due to lack of information at the gram panchayat level, the rural development ministry has directed the panchayats to proactively disclose information in the gram sabha meetings. 

“Given the critical role and functions of the gram panchayat in implementation of the act and to ensure due compliance with the statutory requirements of transparency, accountability and pro active disclousre of key documents while implementing MGNREGA, the following information should invariably and proactively be disclosed in the gram sabha which should regularly be convened for the effective and efficient implementation of the scheme,” said the note sent to all states on february 24.

•    Names of works both completed and on going with wages paid and material compoonent
•    Names of persons, preferably with job card no who have worked, days worked and wages paid to each of them
•    Quantity and price of material purchased for each project along with name of agency which supplied the material.

Under MGNREGA the gram panchayat is the single most important agency for executing works as the act mandates earmarking a minimum of 50 per cent of the works in terms of costs to be executed by the gram panchayat. As per section 16 of NREGA the gram panchayat shall be responsible for identification of the projects in the gram panchayat area to be taken up under a scheme as per the recommendations of the gram gram sabha and ward sabhas and for executing and supervising such works.