MGNREGA controversy
TURA: Controversy has erupted in Selsella Development Block of West Garo Hills where a police complaint has been filed against a programme officer for allegedly not allowing job card holders of the village to undertake work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
Job card holder of Bowabari village under New Bhaitbari, Billal Sk have lodged a complaint with Rajabala police accusing the Additional Programme Officer of Selsella Block of assault, threat and intimidation when he along with other villagers questioned the official’s decision to bring in outside labour for MGNREGA works even though the members of the Village Employment Council (VEC) were available at hand.
In his police complaint Billal Sk mentioned that the VEC members of Bowabari had expressed their willingness to take up the materials work for construction of CC footpath from the NEC road to the mosque, a distance of 0.175 km.
The project estimate was Rs. 5,86,400/- and the VEC members had demanded that they ought to be given the work in their own village and no outside labour should be engaged.
The police complaint states that an altercation took place in which the official allegedly manhandled the complainant followed by threat and intimidation.
The villagers have also approached the local MLA and parliamentary secretary Ashahel D Shira complaining of being denied their right to work in their village.
“I have already apprised the deputy commissioner about the issue and to immediately take necessary steps to ensure genuine VEC members of the village are not denied jobs under MGNREGA.
The guidelines clearly state that it is the VECs in their respective villages who have the right to the work and not outsiders. The official who has denied work to genuine villagers must be taken to task,” stated Shira.