Tura, Jan 28: A block development officer in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills on Tuesday gave up to public pressure and released the funds meant for MG-NREGA, which was pending since September last year.
The BDO of Dadenggre, Thera Marak had to face the ire of angry villagers, as they had not received the payment for the works completed under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi said, “BDO had called for a meeting to explain the village development councils (VECs) on the need to update the socio-economic census but the villagers were not willing to do so, which led to heated arguments between the villagers and the BDO”.
The war-of-words lasted for about an hour after which the BDO finally decided to give up and release the payments.
It may be noted that payments for many other blocks in Garo hills is also pending. West Garo Hills is still to recieve pending wage amounting to Rs. 24 crores. East Garo Hills district won the best award for successful implementation of the scheme in 2012.
Bakshi said that after the heated commotion the BDO decided to clear wages for the month of June, July and August last year.
On the delay, Bakshi said, “Funds for the scheme are being allocated from centre”.
Sources say that job card holder in different blocks of Garo hills have not received payments for about two years now.
A VEC from Dadenggre block, Markesh D Sangma said, “We have been struggling with non payment of dues for long. It was beyond limits, so we had no option but to act tough against the BDO. We are assured waged for 100 days and government has to fix the wrongs”.
Sources in Community & Rural Development department tell us that many blocks across Meghalaya is facing similar problem.
Selsella block in West Garo Hills has to clear wage amounting to Rs. 14.7 crore. In many other blocks, payments for material have been made but no payment for the wages.
A senior officer in C&RD department, who didnot wished to be quoted said, “We have been doing our bit ensuring that the paperwork for the funding is complete but the response from the Centre is not encouraging”.(SP News)
