Net absence cripples MGNREGA at Kamjong
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, December 11 2024: When people in urban areas are enjoying 5G and other high speed internet services, villages in the extreme eastern border of Kamjong district are still living in the dark age with no electricity and mobile network.

People in the villages of Sahamphung block are reeling under no electricity and internet facilities, and they have been deprived of the benefits of MGNREGA for years, said Songachan Zimik, president of Sambu Raiping Long.

According to him, the enforcement of mandatory online attendance through the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) in a no internet service area has added burden to the poor MGNREGS daily wage earners living in the border villages.

Attendance of MGNREGS workers is taken twice daily in the morning and in the evening.

But, due to lack of internet and mobile data service, workers are unable to access the NMMS webiste.

Job card holders of these villages in the extreme border region have not received a single payment for the current financial year, Songachan said.

The MGNREGA guidelines guarantee 100 days of employment, but the scheme for 2023-24 financial year has completely fallen flat in Sahamphung block, he said.

The Sambu Raiping Long (SRL) has approached the SDO of Sahamphung block requesting for offline attendance, but the officer has shown unwillingness to resolve the problem and has turned a deaf ear, claimed Songachan.

More than 2786 job card holders of Sahamphung block villagers have been deprived of the benefits of the scheme, he said.

Airtel towers have been installed in the villages of Chamu, Sahamphung, Roni, Rushea, Mapum and Zingsui, however the internet services remain inconsistent throughout the year.

Phone networks are not available and there is no electricity in the villages, Songachan said.

Some years ago, Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) had installed solar lamps at Kachouphung, Khayang, Charnmu, Matoya, Roni, Ronshak, Lancha, Maokot.

Lamgkhe, Chatric Khullen, Chahong Khonou, Kashung, Gampal, K Phungtha, Hangkaw Kaphung Chatric Khonou, C Mollen, Heiyang and Block Headquarters Sahamphung village.

The villagers, however, were unable to handle the system due to lack of knowledge.

One of the batteries exploded and a house was burned down in Hangkaw Kaphung, Songachan said.

The installed solar lamps are not functional at present, he added.

PM Narendra Modi's objective to digitize the Nation has failed in Sahamphung block villages of Kamjong district, he said.

Songachan urged the State Government for its immediate intervention to install necessary infrastructure in the villages to alleviate the living standard of the people and improve their economy.

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