By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 5: The Opposition on Wednesday demanded compensation for Village Employment Councils (VECs) that have been left without wages or have received very little due to infrastructure and staffing issues affecting the transition and functioning of the Batabari C&RD Block.
It is pertinent to note here that the state government, vide a notification dated December 21, 2022, had ordered the creation of Batabari C&RD Block in West Garo Hills.
Leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma, raising a supplementary question during Question Hour, emphasised the legal obligation to provide compensation under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
“The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is implemented under the MGNREGA Act. The Act states that once a job demand is placed, the authorities are legally bound to provide employment. If they fail to do so, compensation must be paid until the issue is resolved. Pay compensation as per the law. Let us invoke the relevant section of the Act and ensure the law prevails,” Sangma asserted.
Earlier, TMC MLA from Rajabala constituency, Mizanur Rahman Kazi, highlighted the issue of VECs not receiving their mandated 100 days of work due to infrastructure and staffing problems affecting the transition and functioning of the Batabari C&RD Block.
Kazi informed the House that due to these transition delays, several villages in his constituency have received either no wages or minimal wages over the past four years, causing severe distress among job seekers. He urged the government to expedite the transition process so that VECs can secure their mandated employment.
In response, C&RD Minister AT Mondal stated that while operational, efforts are ongoing to make it fully functional. “There are staffing issues, and the infrastructure is currently being repaired. A tender will soon be floated for the construction of a new building,” the minister said.
He acknowledged that infrastructure and staffing issues have hindered the transition process, affecting the VECs’ ability to receive their mandated 100 days of employment.
“Before we shift VECs from one block to another, certain criteria must be met. All existing works should be completed, payments must be made, and geo-tagging of the new structure must be finalised,” he added.
Aadhaar seeding hurdle
Mondal also pointed out that a major issue affecting wage disbursement is the Aadhaar-based payment system. “The Ministry of Rural Development has made Aadhaar card seeding mandatory for all job card holders. Without Aadhaar linkage, no payments will be processed. This requirement has created significant challenges for us,” he explained.
He further informed the House that the state government had taken up the matter with the Ministry of Rural Development. On February 24, 2025, the Ministry clarified that past expenditures would be cleared, but going forward, no payments would be made without Aadhaar seeding.
The minister urged legislators to sensitise the public about the Aadhaar seeding requirement to prevent further difficulties.
“BDOs have been instructed to take the matter to the VEC level and assist workers by providing travel allowances for bank visits,” he said.
Additionally, he said that a state-level committee comprising the department and banks has been directed to facilitate Aadhaar seeding every day after 1 PM to ensure compliance.