Two of the moves have been revealed -- a proposed higher proportion of expenditure on material, reducing the budget available to pay wages, and a focus on implementing the scheme only in the poorest 2,500 of India's 6,275 blocks.
The third cut being inflicted on the scheme could be the deepest -- unprecedented delay in payments to beneficiaries.
Till October 20 this year, about 70 per cent of all payments, totalling a whopping Rs 8,407 crore (Rs 84.07 billion), hadn't been paid within the statutory 15 days, the most severe delay in the history of the scheme.
In 2013-14, about half the workers received payments on time.
By October 20 this year, Rs 3,604 crore (Rs 36.04 billion) in wages were due for 15-30 days; another Rs 2,997 crore (Rs 29.97 billion) hadn't been paid for up to two months and Rs 1,199 crore in payments
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