The Odisha Shramajeebee Manch has sought intervention of the Governor over non-payment and denial of jobs to interested households under MGNREGA and also urged him to ensure inclusion of nutritious food at subsidised rate in the State Food Security Bill. In a memorandum to the Governor the Manch, an apex body of 11 people’s organisations working in the 10 districts covering 47 blocks and over 5,25,000 families alleged that many beneficiaries of MGNREGA have not got their wages since last four months.
“local administrations are denying the C-1 receipts to the people citing that the State doesn’t have the fund to provide the demanded work. It is very depressing that people have been denied their right to work, which is guaranteed by the constitution of India. Such developments further aggravate their socio-economic condition, because people don’t have any other alternative employment opportunities in their regions,” said Manch convenor Anjan Pradhan quoting the memorandum.
The memorandum further stated that since as per the trend the peak time for MGNREGA is from December to March, because after paddy harvesting marginal and small farmers employed themselves in MGNREGA work, no Government efforts are experienced to ensure jobs for the desired. “As per the information while the total budget of MGNREGA for the year 2014-15 was estimated at 1834.37 crore, so far the State has received only 1035.30 crore, including recent tranches i.e. Rs 260 crore. In total State budget the State would be sharing Rs 200 crore, whereas remaining 599.7 crore still need to be released by the Central Government,” it added.
The Manch demanded immediate release of Rs 599.7 crore by the Central Government, immediate availability of 1000 C1 forms at all GP offices, panchayat office must remain open at least three days a week, measurement for the work and the payments must be on the weekly basis, each panchayat must have a work plan for at least 22 crores. The Manch also urged the Governor to ensure providing subsidised food under the proposed State Food Security Bill taking a family as unit instead individual.