Sharp Decline in Employment Generation, Workdays down by 47.6%, Number of working families reduced to 19.94 lakh all these finds negligence in renewing deleted job cards. The implementation of the ‘Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)’, which was established to provide employment opportunities to poor families in rural areas, has significantly fallen behind in Telangana. Although the number of workers has increased, the lack of employment opportunities has prevented them from earning the prescribed wages. A survey conducted by ‘LibTech India’ on employment guarantees between April and September 2025 revealed these facts. The organization stated that its report was prepared based on official government data. The latest statistics on employment implementation in the state are alarming. 
The number of unique households that worked under MGNREGA dropped from 25.33 lakh to 19.94 lakh and the average workdays per household fell from 41 to 27 days. Overall, total workdays declined by 47.6% between April and September, compared to a national decline of only 10.4%. This sharp reduction indicates negligence by the authorities in ensuring adequate workdays, which has led to decreased income for rural households. Critics argue that the state’s poor performance in implementing MGNREGA stems mainly from administrative neglect.
● Loss of Wages.
Due to reduced workdays, family incomes have fallen drastically, plunging labor households into serious financial hardship. Even though the central government increased the wage rate from ₹300 to ₹307, the decline in workdays meant that each household earned only ₹1,686 per year. If the same number of workdays as last year had been provided, each family could have earned an additional ₹3,515, workers said. The mandatory implementation of the Aadhaar-based payment system (ABPS) has also caused difficulties. To receive payments, workers must link their Aadhaar numbers with their job cards, ensure that names match perfectly on both and link Aadhaar with their bank accounts and register with NPCI. Any mismatch makes them ineligible for ABPS payments. During 2022–23, around 5.1 lakh job cards were deleted due to issues with the ABPS rollout, the survey revealed. However, the government failed to take proper steps for reinstating the deleted job cards, showing continued negligence. The deletion of job cards has continued into 2025–26, with no visible efforts to restore them. Districts showing the sharpest declines includes Medchal-Malkajgiri (-92.8%), Jogulamba Gadwal (-72%), Kamareddy (-68%), Nizamabad** (-67%). These figures are extremely concerning. Moderately Affected Districts include Adilabad (-18%), Nalgonda (-24.5%), Yadadri Bhuvanagiri (-34.3%), Siddipet (-34.7%). Over 53 lakh workers in Telangana have yet to complete eKYC, leading to delayed or denied payments. Only 48.5% of the state’s workers have completed eKYC a sign of administrative indifference. Across social groups, the decline in employment days has affected SCs by -48.3%, STs by -41.7%, Others by -49.3%. These statistics clearly highlight the government’s failure in implementing the scheme and ensuring employment opportunities for rural laborers.