CSWO allege anomalies in MGNREGS payments

A Reporter

SHILLONG, August 9: The Civil Society Women Organization today alleged the some beneficiaries of the MGNREGS in Pynter village, falling under Pynursla Block Development Office in East Khasi Hills district, are yet to receive their payments against works done by them since 2012-2013.

“It has come to our knowledge that there are some beneficiaries of the MGNREGS in Pynter Village who worked on a footpath in the village in 2012-13.  They were refused payment and instead made to sign in the muster rolls of a different work for which they did not even work,” CSWO president said.

 She also allege that when they refused to sign, they were cautioned by Jebinstone Nongkrot who is a member of the Village Employment Council (VEC) that they would face hardships in future and subsequently they were not given any more work after that. “Till date they have not received payment for the work done by them in 2012-2013,” she said adding that one such beneficiary is Trilian Umsong who has worked for 51 days in March-April 2012 and Sept 2012 but received payment for only 12 days.

Agnes Kharshiing further said that when the workers wanted to check through RTI the register where their mes are entered daily, they were refused to do so by the VEC because the muster roll No 141644, 141645, 141648, 141650 etc. which indicates work for March –April 2012 have been erased and dates for the month of June 2012 have been added, which shows signs of tampering.

She stated that in spite of an RTI, filed by the workers and a visit by the BDO of Pynursla on 10th September 2013, who assured them that payments will be given to them soon, no money has been released till date.

Kharshiing claimed that in addition to Trilian Umsong there are others also who were denied of their wages for work done in 2012-2013, and were made to sign on the muster roll for a different work. The CSWO urged the authorities to take immediate steps to stop such abuse of law so that the illiterate beneficiaries from the villages are not taken advantage of.