IMPHAL, March 12: Pradhans and ward members under the Thoubal district gram panchayats and other concern individuals today staged a sit in protest at the Khangabok New Market demanding 100 days work for job card holders of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employee Guarantee Scheme and proper decentralisation of power to panchayats.
The demonstrators later took out a rally towards DC Thoubal office and submitted a memorandum.
Today’s demonstration was organised by the District Panchayat Parishad, Thoubal District under the Manipur State Panchayat Parishad.
Speaking to media persons, Manipur State Panchayat Parishad executive member and president of the District Panchayat Parishad Thoubal District, Ahongshangbam Dhiren Singh said the number of work days for the financial year allotted to the card holders of the MGNREGS is not even 10 days even after all related documents have been submitted and the card holders have opened their bank accounts.
Citing that they are provided only seven-eight days to work while promising 100 days work, the job card holders have condemned the pradhans and members, he continued.
He further appealed to the concerned to allow the job card holders to work the exact number of days as promised.
He further alleged that that there is a huge discrepancy during the allotment of labour budget of the scheme among the districts of the state.
Churachandpur is allotted 98 days, Tamenglong 103 days, Ukhrul 105, Senapati 87 and Chandel 88 days; whereas, Thoubal has been allotted only 33, Imphal West 61, Imphal East 89 and Bishnupur 27, he continued.
Although it had been promised that panchayats will be handed 16 departments on September 9, 2005, it is yet to be turned into action, he lamented.