SHILLONG, July 19: The Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR) vented its ire in public on Monday by staging a protest against the state government’s failure to release financial assistance to daily wagers as promised during the total lockdown last year.
The protest was staged solo by TUR member Angela Rangad at the main entrance gate of Main Secretariat.
Following its filing of an RTI application, TUR found that a good number of daily wagers have not yet received the financial assistance despite submitting their names to the Labour department through their respective Dorbar Shnong.
The government had announced an income support for daily wagers to help them during the COVID-induced lockdown last year.
Under the Chief Minister’s Relief Against Wage Loss, taxi drivers, hawkers, domestic workers, etc were supposed to get Rs 2,100 each. The government had promised to deposit the money to the bank accounts of beneficiaries who had applied for it.
TUR’s protest on Monday was aimed at pressuring the government to order a probe so that those responsible for allegedly swindling funds could be tracked down.
Holding placards, Rangad was seen staging the protest despite rain. Some placards read: “Mr Conrad Sangma’s Government – Constantly lies, Is apathetic to people’s distress, Only knows to govern for its rich and corrupt cronies, Denies people’s rights in the midst of pandemic hardships, Is unaccountable.”
Her action caught the police unawares. The security had to eventually close the main entrance gates after she refused to move.
Rangad told reporters that she was forced to take the step as the government did not pay heed to the demands on the release of the financial assistance to the daily wagers. “It is really sad that the government is not ready to reach out to the common citizens who are in distress. It is unacceptable that funds, earmarked for the purpose, have been swindled by someone. The second wave lockdown has crushed everyone,” Rangad said.
She said the RTI documents revealed many people, who had applied, did not find their names on the list. She said even those whose names were on the list had received only Rs 700.
She alleged the government lied in saying that the bank account numbers provided by the beneficiaries were either incorrect or inactive.
“I have decided to stage a protest every day during office hours to remind the government of its responsibility. It has to immediately release the money,” Rangad said.
The TUR member urged the government to go beyond unlock and announce economic package.
