Chandel CSOs protest meagre release of MGNREGA wages

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CHANDEL, February 17: Several frontal organizations of Chandel district staged a mass sit-in-protest at the waiting shed of DC Lamkhai today against the release of meagre amount for 7-day wages under MGNREGA for the year 2015-16 and insufficient relief fund for natural calamities in the district.

Bd. Betha, vice-president of Committee on Protection of Chakpi River; Ng. Bliss, president of Naga Women Union Chandel; KL Ruwngkham, chairman of Maha Area Chiefs Association; Sng. Lumdil, president of Anallon Chiefs Association; job card holders under MGNREGS including women, village chiefs and leaders of social organisations took part in the protest demonstration.

The frontal organisations also submitted a memorandum each to Prime Minister and Union Minister of Panchayati Raj & Rural Development through the Deputy Commissioner, Chandel.

Speaking on the sideline of the protest, TS.Beton Anal, a RTI activist and president of Social-Economic and Development Organisation (SEACDO) lamented that natural calamities in the form of hailstorm, flood and landslide which hit the district last year caused massive destruction in many parts besides claiming ten villagers’ lives.

But the government provided only a relief fund of Rs 1 crore out of which Rs 40 lakh was given as ex-gratia to the families of the ten deceased while the remaining amount was used for providing immediate relief assistance to other victims of the calamities, he claimed.

Beton pointed out that despite release of sufficient fund by the Central government amounting to more than Rs 161 crores in 2015, the State government has only provided fund for 7-day wages and 1 day material components under MGNREGS for the year 2015-16.

While demanding release of the remaining wages of job card holders under MGNREGA at the earliest, the RTI Activist TS Beton warned of surrendering job cards if the wages are not released.

The general public of the district will organize a mass protest rally against the State government’s indifferent attitude, he said.

He also cautioned to approach the High Court if the government fails to fulfil the demand of the public at the earliest.

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