The BJP has ensured that all dues under central schemes are cleared on time. The Centre bears 90% of the cost, while the state government contributes 10%. However, some villagers are being misled into believing that the central government is not releasing payments for job card holders. The truth is that the state government is failing to sanction the funds
SHILLONG, March 2: The State BJP on Sunday accused the state government, of which it is a part, of misleading the public regarding the delayed payment to job card holders.
Highlighting the issue as a major concern affecting villagers in rural areas, state BJP vice president and Tura MDC, Bernard N Marak, said, “The BJP has ensured that all dues under central schemes are cleared on time. The central government bears 90% of the cost, while the state government contributes 10%. However, some villagers are being misled into believing that the central government is not releasing payments for job card holders. The truth is that the state government is failing to sanction the required funds to the blocks.”
He further stated, “Villagers are being deceived into thinking that the central government has denied them their rightful wages, whereas, in reality, the Centre has cleared the dues on time. The state government must ensure that all work demands are forwarded and completed promptly, as bills should be cleared within 15 days of submission.”
Marak also pointed out discrepancies in the system, revealing that many bills, even from previous years, have not been updated online.
“Several individuals are incorrectly marked as absent in their muster rolls. The blocks must verify and rectify this issue,” he said.
He urged block authorities to clarify that they can only issue work orders once funds are released for the proposed jobs, reinforcing that the delay is not the Centre’s fault.
“Job card holders under NREGA are facing multiple challenges. Since many VEC secretaries are appointed rather than elected, they remain silent on these issues, while job card holders are suppressed and denied wages on unjustified grounds,” he added.
Marak further stated that multiple complaints have emerged from villages regarding delayed payments, with pending dues stretching back several years. “Upon inquiry, we found that the state government is not releasing the required funds to the blocks for wage payments,” the BJP MDC said.
