Adhyaksha sees red over MGNREGS fund
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 23 2021:
Terming release of only Rs 160 crore MRN-REGS fund by RD & PR minister Th Biswajit as a complete lie to the public, Imphal East Zilla Parishad Adhyaksha P Bimola has categorically stated that PRI members will not accept the released fund as it is in contradiction to the understanding reached with them.
In a statement, Imphal East Zilla Parishad Adakshya P Bimola demanded reason behind holding up of entitled wage for job card holders and material component (MC) for PRI even after completion of the financial year.
The adhyaksha also termed as unfortunate that the department concerned portrayed PRI members as wrongdoers on social media rather than releasing the fund in time.
The works executed by job card holders were based on work demand and their wages were based on the works executed and their wages cannot be released without material component, the statement said and strongly called for releasing funds on time to maintain 60:40 ratio.
It also asked as to how the released fund fixed for the year 2020-21 could be distributed equally to wards and which wards are to be left out from the distribution.
While urging the minister concerned and department not to take any action which would create misunderstanding and enmity between job card holders and PRI members, Imphal East Zilla Parishad Adhyaksha strongly called for taking the right action in view of the suffering being endured by job card holders amidst COVID-19 pandemic and released all the entitled wages and MC the earliest.
It was very unfortunate on the part of RD & PR minister to fail to translate into action the understanding reached with PRI members even after the deadline expired, the statement said adding that not even a single penny from Rs 485 crore MGNREGS released by the Government of India on March 18 has reached job card holders and PRI members till date.
As per understanding reached on National Panchayat Day on April 24, RD & PR minister was to release 50 percent of the said fund within April 30, 2021 and the remaining 50 percent within May 20.However, releasing only Rs 160 crore few days back is a challenge to PRI members and rural people of Imphal East and Imphal West districts, the statement added.