MGNREGA workers struggle to get their dues

JAIPUR: Kanchan Devi, 28, a resident of Kalaliya gram panchayat in Raipur block of Pali district, is yet to be paid more than Rs 4,000 under the MGNREGA scheme. When in crisis, Devi says, she has to borrow money up to Rs 5,000-6,000 from moneylenders to make ends meet. Her husband Bhagwan Singh died in an accident about six years back, when she was expecting a baby. With the outstanding dues of NREGA workers going up to Rs 801 crore in Rajasthan, the labourers say they have not been paid four to five instalments with their outstanding dues reaching up to more than Rs 7,000 each.

“I have not been paid for the past three weeks. This is the fourth week running. I stay with my parents-in-law and my daughter is just five years old. She goes to school. Sometimes I have to borrow money from the lenders to earn a living. I also work as a daily wage earner when there is no NREGA work,” says Devi.

“I lost my husband in a bike accident. I am entitled to widow’s pension but have not been receiving it for the past 12 months, which is about Rs 500 per month. I went to Raipur (in Pali) to inquire about the non-payment of pension. They (officials) said they will give the money after two months, when the funds are released,” she lamented.

Keli Devi (50), wife of Deva Singh and a resident of Suradiya gram panchayat in Ajmer district, said: “We had lodged an FIR at Jawaja police station. I have not been paid for the past two months. There are six members in the family. Three male members do work like laying of pipelines and other construction work. That is how we earn our living. I have not been paid for four instalments,” she said Devi, whose due amount is Rs 7,027 for 42 days.

A MGNREGA activist in Suradiya village said hundreds of workers under the gram panchayat have not been paid their dues. “That's why we had protested against the central government and lodged a complaint in various police stations so that funds could be released. They have not been paid for 4-5 instalments. We regularly hold demonstrations at the gram panchayats and outside police stations,” said the activist.

The nationwide campaign was spearheaded by NREGA Sangharsh Morcha and Asangadith Mazdoor Union. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot and deputy CM Sachin Pliot had also written to the Union rural development minister Narendra Singh Tomar requesting him to release funds worth Rs 1,000 crore in the state.