Alleging bias against Punjab in deciding wages under MNAREGA, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday wrote to the Union Rural Development and Panchayti Raj Minister Giriraj Singh demanding upscaling of wage rate notified under MGNREGA to Rs 381.06.
Pointing that the wage notified in Punjab is Rs 303, while in Haryana it is Rs 357, Mann said that the difference is in spite of both states sharing similar geographic and economic conditions.
At the same time, Mann batted for an increase in wage rate notified under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the state to Rs 381.06— at par with the rate notified by Punjab for unskilled Agriculture workers.
In a letter to the Union Minister, the Chief Minister sought upward revision in the rates notified for labour under the scheme as the existing rates were too minuscule. “Less wage rate of Rs 303 has been notified for Punjab State in comparison to Rs 357 for the neighbouring State Haryana,” he said.
Mann said: “I have come to know that this difference is existing since the inception of the scheme despite the fact that both States share similar geographic and economic conditions.”
Bemoaning that Punjab State Labour Department's notified unskilled agricultural labour wage rate of Rs 381.06 is also higher than the MGNREGA wage rate, Mann said that it reflects that the beneficiaries of this scheme are being denied their rightful dues which is not at all acceptable. “It is unfortunate that unskilled workers in Haryana get more payment for the same work done in compared to Punjab, which is a grave injustice to them,” he said.
The Chief Minister, thus, sought the kind intervention of the Union Minister to get the matter examined again and increase Punjab's wage rate at par with that of Haryana or with Punjab State Labour Department's wage rates.
“Increase in wage rate will help in improving the livelihood base of beneficiaries besides motivating them to work zealously under the Scheme,” said Mann expressing hope that the Union Minister will sympathetically consider the legitimate claim of Punjab and pass on the necessary directions to the officers.