MGNREGS work demand not directly correlated to rural distress: Economic Survey

Kerala and Tamil Nadu utilize more MGNREGS funds despite having fewer poor, unlike Bihar and UP. No link with unemployment rates. Institutional capacity, fund leakages, ad-hoc wages, and misappropriations affect MGNREGS. Issues include unemployment allowance, demand registration discrepancies. Central government funds wages. Social Accountability Forum raises transparency and accountability concerns.