MPCC seeks Govt clarity on MGNREGS funds
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 10 2021:
Expressing concern over the non-release of pending funds of the job card holders, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has enquired the state government and minister concerned for announcing a date for releasing the pending wages.
Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhawan here on Monday, intending candidate of Thongju AC, Seram Neken contended that several incidents have occurred in different villages over the non-release of wages for job card holders under MGNREGS.
During the 2020-2021 financial year, job card holders of the state worked for 60 days under MGNERGS out of which wages of only 25 days were paid.
The remaining wages for 35 days is yet to be released even though it should be released during the 2020-2021 financial year, he contended, while denouncing the failure to release the said wages even after a year.
He informed that in the 161 Gram Panchayats and 60 Zila Parishads of the state, there are around 6 lakh job card holders.
"Where did RD&PR department divert the wages for 35 days of the 6 lakh job card holders of the state?" he questioned.
Stating that the centre had already sanctioned Rs 485.5 crore under MGNREGS on March 18, Neken explained that as per the guideline of the scheme, the sanctioned funds should be disbursed to the implementing agencies within 3 days and 12 per cent interest of the said fund should be given to the implementing agencies if the funds were not released during the stipulated time.
Even though RD&PR commissioner issued an order for release of Rs 485.5 crore on April 29, the said funds still fail to reach job card holders and PRIs, he lamented.
Fortunately, Rs 26.2 crore has already been released as a grant by the centre to Manipur for panchayats to combat Covid-19 pandemic on Sunday.
But it is still uncertain for Manipur when the villagers and PRIs will receive the said grant, Neken contended, while demanding to the government for announcing a date regarding the release of the already sanctioned Rs 485.5 crore under MGNREGS and Rs 26.2 crore meant for villagers and PRIs.
It is unfortunate that RD&PR minister failed to clarify in this regard and instead baselessly blamed the PRIs, he maintained.
Neken cautioned that MPCC will complaint regarding the matter to the centre and will also launch intense form of protests if the government fails to announce the date for release of funds meant for job card holders and PRIs.