The Centre has refuted the allegations by an NGO that there was a delay on its part in releasing funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) scheme for drought-hit farmers. <br/><br/>The issue was raised before the court by the NGO Swaraj Abhiyan which claimed that there was a high percentage of delay over payment under MGNREGA made from the time when fund transfer order was made till the time the payment was actually given to the beneficiaries. <br/><br/>After the government disputed these facts, the court asked Attorney General KK Venugopal, representing the Centre, to file an affidavit within four weeks in this regard.<br/><br/>The bench posted the matter for further hearing on the 18th of next month.