MGNREGA, the lynchpin of rural poverty alleviation, has become the victim of fiscal apathy. Critically analyze the statement in light of recent developments.

MGNREGA was enacted to bring 'RIGHTS approach' and 'RIGHT to LIVELIHOOD' as core to right to life under Article 21. Example: it provides 100 employment days to send family with wage allowance in case of no work. MGNREGA was LYNCH PIN: 1. It reduced Rural poverty 2. Created gender empowerment with mandatory women employed 3. Creation of INFRASTRUCTURE and solid asset under PMAY, JAL jeevan mission 4. Stopped DISTRESS urban migration 5. Curb seasonal poverty in Drought area with 150 day protection

Recent development issues: Stagnation of MGNREGA allocation under 69,000 crore in 2023 budget. CAG audit showed delay in payments to states like WEST Bengal. Stagnation with bare minimum wages has led to enhanced migration in urban areas. State fund delay has been flagged in Jharkhand. In this context, MGNREGA must be monitored, evaluated, digitalized with GEO tagging of assets, strengthened with CAMPA and timely disbursed in interest of rural property and poverty alleviation under SDG 1.