By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: MGNREGS ombudsman in Ri-Bhoi district Thomas Mallai said that he would seek an explanation from Umsning Block Development Officer (BDO) over the delay in the release of funds for payment of the wages to the job card holders under Mawblang Area Employment Council (AEC).
“It is really unfortunate to see that such a large number of people have not received their wages for the past ten months. This kind of delay in the payment of wages defeats the very purpose of this scheme,” Mallai who was appointed by the Government to redress grievances relating to the implementation of the MGNREGS in Ri-Bhoi district said on Saturday.
When asked whether he had received a complaint from the village authority, he said that so far he has not received any complaint on the issue.
“I have come to know about this through the media report,” MGNREGS ombudsman said.
He further urged upon the villagers to lodge a formal complaint through District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) on their grievances.
“Only after I receive the formal complaints I would be able to initiate an inquiry into this matter. I can even summon the BDO to know the reasons about the delay,” Mallai said.
MGNREGS ombudsman said that he would still closely follow up this matter to ensure that people get their wages at the earliest.
Earlier, it was reported that hundreds of job card holders of Mawbseiñ, Mawblang and Nongpyrdet under Mawblang Area Employment Council (AEC) have been deprived of their wages for the past ten months despite the assurance in the scheme that wages will be paid every two weeks.The members of the executive committee of the Dorbar Shnongs of the villages confirmed the nonpayment of wages for the past several months.
“Every time we rush to the office on being informed of the arrival of funds, the Block Development Office, Umsning refuses the same,” a member of the Executive Committee said.
What is surprising is that the wages which has not been paid to the job card holders is for the period 2008-2009 and 2009-2010.