SRINAGAR: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has found widespread violations of mandatory worker-welfare provisions under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Jammu and Kashmir, with first aid, childcare, shade and drinking water facilities missing at many worksites.
According to CAG Report No. 4 of 2026, covering the Composite Audit (Civil) of the Union Territory for the period ended March 2024, a review of records from 40 sampled Gram Panchayats found that no expenditure was incurred on worksite facilities during the five financial years from 2019-20 to 2023-24.
A survey of 400 MGNREGA beneficiaries further highlighted the gaps. All respondents reported that first-aid and crèche facilities were unavailable at worksites, while 399, or 99.75 per cent, said there was no shade. Drinking water was unavailable, according to 205 beneficiaries, accounting for 51 per cent of those surveyed.
The MGNREGA Operational Guidelines, 2013, mandate the provision of medical aid, drinking water, shade and crèche facilities at worksites. The guidelines also require first-aid boxes to be replenished as necessary and prohibit the use of expired medicines.
The audit identified another shortcoming in the appointment of worksite mates. In all 400 sampled works, mates had not been appointed from among women workers or persons with disabilities, despite the guidelines providing preference to suitably trained members of these groups.
Mates assist the Gram Rozgar Sahayak in managing worksite arrangements, including workers’ attendance.
The CAG warned that the absence of essential facilities could undermine workers’ health, safety and hygiene and discourage or exclude women and persons with disabilities from participating in MGNREGA employment.
In its response in August 2025, the Department said the need for such facilities had not been felt during the execution of the works. It added that arrangements for crèches, drinking water and other facilities would be made whenever required, in line with the guidelines.
The audit, however, observed that the findings from the beneficiary survey demonstrated that even essential provisions, including drinking water and first aid, had not been ensured at the worksites.
The CAG concluded that the deficiencies reflected widespread non-compliance with worker-welfare requirements, undermining the scheme’s objectives and compromising beneficiaries’ well-being.
