Seven Block Development Officers (BDOs) in Baramulla district have failed to release the wages under MGNERGA scheme leaving the laborers in a state of despair.
The delay in clearing the liability under labour componentcomes amid the COVID-19 outbreak when the government has issued the directionsto clear all the liability of laborers class under different schemes.
As per the data prepared by the Rural Development Department(RDD), out of total 26 blocks in district Baramulla, Block Chandil Wanigam,Baramulla, Khore Sherabad and Tangmargblocks have cleared zero percent wages against the FTO generated for release offunds.
Other blocks including Kangroosa, Rafiabad and Sangrama havealso performed poorly in releasing the wages under labor component of thescheme.
“The performance of Kangroosa is 19 percent, Rafiabad 18 andSangrama only 01 percent,” the document reads.
The delay in release of wages is increasing the resentmentamong the laborers against the Block Development Officers (BDOs).
“While government makes tall claims to help the peopleespecially the poor during this pandemic period, these block officers inBaramulla take us for a ride and deny the release of our wages,” a group oflaborers from Sangrama block said.
They said BDOs in other blocks have released all wages underlabor component of MGNREGA and of projects executed under 14th FC conversion,keeping in view the prevailing crises like situation. But BDO office Sangramaand six more blocks have kept the bills pending for unknown reasons, theyadded.
“The approach of BDOs towards labor class is unfortunate. Werequest the district administration and authorities in RDD to look into thematter and get our wages released,” a laborer said.
Commissioner Secretary RDD, Sheetal Nanda said they havereceived the reports about the poor performance of BDOs in releasing the wagesunder labor component. “The report is with me and action will be taken againstthese BDOs who have not cleared the wages,” she said.