The regional unit of the A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) has written directly to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to enlighten him about the severe shortfall in paid work under MGNREGA that all poor rural Indians are entitled to.
Adokgre is a rural area of North Garo Hills whose population largely depends on agriculture. Rural residents are entitled nationally to 100 days of paid work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) but AHAM told the CM that Adokgre job card holders are getting only a small fraction of this.
In 2023, “most villages” in the area only saw around “18 to 24 days wages in a financial year” and the work order for 2024 has also been delayed, AHAM said “without any cogent and prudent explanation”. Any further delay would be a “flagrant violation of the provisions of law under MGNREGA and a flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of the needy people guaranteed under the Constitution of India,” it added.
The Conrad Sangma family has close connections with Adokgre. His father, the late Purno A Sangma, used to begin his election campaigns from the area, which he nicknamed “Chenanggre”, or land of victory. After assuming the mantle of leadership from his father, Conrad has continued the tradition of beginning a campaign from here.
AHAM reminded the CM of his father’s love of Adokgre and asked him to deliver work under MGNREGA, which the villagers are entitled to by law.
