MGNREGS jobcard holders take out rally at Ukhrul town
Source: The Sangai Express

Ukhrul, March 12 2018: Over 5,000 MGNREGS jobcard holders in Ukhrul town rallied for special provision in implementation of DBT (Direct benefit transfer) for encashment of welfare scheme until the process of enrolment correction and deletion of Aadhar and bank account opening process, is completed for Ukhrul district.

Organized by All Hunphun Tangs Association (AHTA), the rally began from Kharasom junction, Ukhrul, and converged at TNL ground Wino bazar, Ukhrul for a public meeting.

Speaking at the gathering, president of All Hunphun Tangs Association (AHTA), Chonmi Raleng urged the authorities concerned to resolve the poor banking facilities, and to open more banks in the district so that the people can avail the services in time and so as to link individual account with Aadhar for DBT transfer / implementation.

MGNREGS jobcard holders take out rally at Ukhrul town

The president of the AHTA further stated that even though AHTA has been persistently approaching the Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul, Dr Harmit Singh Pahuja and highlighting the problems about poor banking facilities and inadequate Biometrics Enrolment equipments in the district, the DC, Ukhrul has been irresponsible and has been resorting to unethical practices to deprive the poor MGNREGS job card holders.

One of the national flagship programme which gives maximum benefit is MGNREGS programme, however, the number of days allocated for the year 2017 is only seven days (although the act guarantees 100 days for every job card holders).

On the other hand, TNL president Weapon Zimik spoke on the practical difficulties in banking services of Ukhrul while adding that only three banks namely UBI, SBI and UCO operate for the whole district.

He asked how it would be feasible for the job card holders from far off villages, to withdraw 2-3 days wages from these banks, after bearing the long distance travels and expenditures as well as the inconveniences.

The job card holders held up placards reading "We need more Aadhar operators", "welcome eFMS-DBT", "Give us good bank", "Separate banking counter for senior citizens " etc.

According to AHTA reports, out of 50,150 MGNREGS job card holders, 13,680 have links with banks while 18,240 with Aadhar card are yet to link with the bank and the remaining 18,000 do not have Aadhar cards.

The All Hunphun Tangs Association (AHTA) submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister of Rural Development through the Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul.

A memorandum was also submitted to the Union Minister of Rural Development, Government of India through Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul.

The memo included demands for instalment of Aadhar equipment, special provision to allow cash payment option for welfare schemes in the hill district till the process of enrolment correction and deletion of Aadhar and bank account opening process is completed.

It also included demands to extend the additional time period in the hill district of Manipur because of low status report of Aadhar generation, activation of account and pass book within three days to meet the deadline on March 31, open senior citizen's counter in all banks and to generate 100 days job as guaranteed under MGNREGA.

AHTA is a composition of 27 localities in Ukhrul town.