<br/>In an effort to ensure timely payment of wages to NREGA workers, the Centre has asked the states to prepare district-wise panels of technical personnel whose expertise could be utilised in preparation of estimates in line with trends of cost escalation in a time-bound manner.<br/><br/>In an advisory to all the state governments, Rural Development Ministry has noted that "inadequate deployment of technical personnel has led to delayed measurement of works and consequent delayed payment of wages to the workers. <br/><br/>The ministry suggested that services of such panels of technical personnel may also be utilised for carrying out other technical works as deemed fit by states as per the requirements. <br/><br/>It also suggested the states to consider issuing appropriate directions to the gram panchayats to immediately report cases of delays in obtaining requisite administrative and financial approvals, releases of the next instalment.