<h1>Underfunding of MGNREGA threatens program functioning, urging wage parity and rollback of exclusionary biometric payments.</h1> Persistent underfunding, diversion of budget to prior liabilities and a mid year budget cap have exhausted a large share of the annual allocation, causing payment delays, suppression of work demand and worker drop outs under MGNREGA. Additionally, mandated technological measures-an attendance app and the Aadhaar Based Payment System-are alleged to cause arbitrary exclusions where minor biometric or data mismatches occur. Advocates demand full release of pending funds, removal of the cap, wage parity with statutory minima, rollback or reform of exclusionary digital controls, and strengthened independent social audits and grievance redressal.