MGNREGA workers protest denial of wages for 3 years

Doda, May 20

Residents of Sawara panchayat in the Chilli block protested in Doda on Monday over the alleged non-payment of wages for the works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for the past three years.

Munir Khan, a ward member, claimed, “We have been denied wages for works under MGNREGA since 2016. Earlier, both block development officer (BDO)and gram rozgar sevak agreed to pay, but a few days later, they refused to release our wages.”

“More than Rs 10 lakh payment is pending. We have no money to feed our children in Ramzan. We request the Governor to resolve our issue. Otherwise, we have toblock the highway,” Khan said.

Additional DC Imam Din said: “I have directed the Assistant Commissioner Development to provide a detailed report within seven days and also investigate the villagers’ allegations.” — OC