Group moves Union minister over delay in MGNREGS payments

Tura, July 25: The Achik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) has written to the union minister for Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chauhan seeking the early release of payments due to job card holders from the Garo Hills region.
The letter sent by the general secretary of AHAM, Clinton Marak drew attention to the significant delays in the payment of daily wages under MGNREGA in Garo Hills.
“We have found and witnessed the hardships and difficulties faced by rural workers due to the delay in receiving their rightful daily wages. MGNREGA has been instrumental in providing employment opportunities to millions of rural households across the country, reducing poverty and distress migration from rural areas,” stated Clinton.
He added that citizens rights have been given under MGNREGA that include the right to receive wages within 15 days, and the right to compensation for delay in wage payment.
“However, in some parts of the Northeast states, especially in the Garo hills region, daily wages payment has been pending for many months and in some district CRD blocks, the payments have not been released since last year, 2023,” he added.
AHAM said many workers, particularly women and marginalised communities, are forced to wait for months and years to receive their wages, causing severe financial strain and deprivation. “This not only undermines the livelihoods of rural workers but also erodes their trust and confidence in the government’s commitment to their welfare and rural upliftment and benefits about 40% of SC and ST households. Therefore immediate action to address this is the need of the hour,” he added.