The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) has written to the Ministry of Rural Development to seek payment of pending wages to job card holders under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the State.
According to the organisation, the wages for works completed under the scheme remained unpaid for the financial years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 causing significant distress to the job card holders.
“Despite the efforts and constant engagement of these citizens in the rural development work across the state, they have not yet received their rightful wages,” GSMC co-chairman Jakrak A. Sangma said.
Pointing out that as per the provisions of MGNREGA, it is the constitutional right of workers to receive their wages promptly, as their participation in the scheme plays a pivotal role in the rural development initiatives in the region, the GSMC said not paying the wages undermines the very essence of the program and leaves these workers in a dire financial situation.
In addition to the delay in wage disbursement, it has also been observed that the Job Card holders are regularly required to mark their attendance online as part of the procedural requirements for MGNREGA.
The GSMC said despite their consistent efforts to report and record their attendance, which is required under the scheme, non-payment of wages only adds to their frustration and disillusionment. “These workers have continued their participation in the scheme, complying with all attendance protocols and engaging in meaningful labour. Yet, they find themselves stuck in a paradox where they fulfill all requirements, but their wages remain unpaid for a prolonged period. Such circumstances breed discontent and can potentially discourage future participation in the MGNREGA program,” it added.
The organisation said compounding the problem, many of the job card holders are facing issues with Aadhaar authentication and linking with their job cards, which has led to the freezing or non-disbursement of wages, leaving many workers in an uncertain and helpless situation.
“Aadhaar issues are beyond the control of the job card holders and these technical glitches should not be allowed to affect their timely access to wages,” the organisation added.
Further it urged the ministry to find alternative ways to facilitate wage disbursement and to take swift and decisive action to resolve the ongoing issues.
