Over 73,000 MGNREGS job cards and 4.22 lakh workers were deleted in Nagaland since 2021, Centre informed Parliament
KOHIMA — More than 73,000 MGNREGS job cards and over 4.22 lakh workers linked to them were deleted in Nagaland between January 2021 and July 22, 2026, according to data tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
In a written reply, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that 73,029 job cards were deleted in the state during the period. The year-wise deletions were 1,052 in 2021, 3,250 in 2022, 2,796 in 2023, 8,515 in 2024, 33,916 in 2025, and 23,500 in 2026 (up to July 22).
The number of workers removed from the deleted job cards stood at 4,22,056, comprising 4,016 in 2021, 13,050 in 2022, 13,180 in 2023, 73,920 in 2024, 2,46,886 in 2025, and 71,004 in 2026 (up to July 22).
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The minister also informed Parliament that 2,86,636 households demanded work under MGNREGS in 2025-26, while 1,38,208 households sought work during 2026-27 up to July 22.
According to the Union government, the scheme is implemented by state governments and Union Territory administrations, which are responsible for issuing, verifying, updating and deleting job cards in accordance with prescribed procedures.
The ministry added that no agriculture or allied works permissible under MGNREGS were removed during the last five years. Following the implementation of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, with effect from July 1, 2026, the list of permissible works has been expanded with greater emphasis on water security, rural infrastructure, livelihoods and climate resilience.