General strike effective in Wabagai
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kakching, January 28 2022:
Pradhans and ward members of Waikhong, Lang-meidong, Mayeng Lamjao, Hiyanglam and Wabagai Gram Panchayats blocked Hiyan-glam Wabagai Lamkhai Kei-thel road during the 36 hours general strike called against non-release of MGNREGS fund by the state government.
The general strike effective from 6am Thursday till 6pm Friday was effective in Wa-bagai area as local pradhans and ward members blocked roads but movement of stu-dents and those in essential services were relaxed.
On behalf of the protesting pradhans and ward mem-bers, Hiyanglam GP pradhan Elangbam Shanti Devi told media persons that a huge amount of fund released by the Central government for 161 Panchayats remained un-distributed by the state government and the general strike was called against it.
More intense forms of agi-tations would be launched if the state government fails to give positive response within a short time, she said, adding that fund being held back by the state government include wages under MGNREGS, 13th Finance and 15th Finance Commissions.
She also said that wages of job card holders could not be released due to freezing of the fund by the state government.
She then appealed to the state govern-ment to release the requisite fund at the earliest so that job card holders could get their entitled wages.