Protest by Unorganised Labourers in Saangawas, Jaitaran MNREGA Workers Demand Full Wages for Completed Work

– Raheem Khan

Jaitaran: Labourers associated with Rajasthan Unorganised Labour Union protested outside the Panchayat Samiti office here Monday, submitting their grievances to the Development Officer.

The workers from Gram Panchayat Saangawas, under Panchayat Samiti Jaitaran, alleged they were not receiving full wages despite completing their assigned tasks. According to the union, 40 labourers worked on a charagah (fodder storage) project in Khasra No. 131 (work code 272001027/LD/ 112909010070) between November 1 and 15, 2024. However, records on the MNREGA website revealed that Junior Technical Assistant (JTA) Sharda had recorded a daily wage rate of only ₹149 per worker. The union highlighted that work measurements were conducted without informing the workers, violating established guidelines requiring transparency during measurements.

Baluram, secretary of the Rajasthan Unorganised Labour Union, condemned the wage deductions, calling it a blatant injustice. “We cannot tolerate this kind of exploitation,” he said.

Kaluram, a seasoned member of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan and former sarpanch, accused the administration of trying to discourage labourers by underpaying them. “We will not back down and will fight for our rights,” he asserted.

The protesting labourers submitted the following demands to the Development Officer:

1. A re-measurement of the work completed between November 1 and 15 should be conducted, involving a team that includes union representatives.
2. Workers should be paid according to the re-measured work.
3. Any discrepancies in payments should be recovered from the Junior Technical Assistant (JTA) responsible, with the difference paid to laborers.
4. A high-level inquiry into the work records of JTA Sharda across other Panchayats should be conducted, and departmental action taken if irregularities are found.
5. The supervisory officers overseeing the JTA’s work should be scrutinised for their involvement or negligence.
6. The Gram Panchayat staff should be held accountable for delays in processing laborers’ applications, a violation of the MNREGA Act.
7. Orders should be issued immediately to address the pending application for unemployment allowance.

In response, Development Officer Atul Solanki formed a four-member inquiry committee, including the Assistant Engineer for Mahatma Gandhi MNREGA. The team will collaborate with four union representatives to measure the work and submit a report.

This protest underscores the systemic challenges faced by unorganised labourers, including wage discrepancies, administrative apathy, and procedural violations. The laborers remain steadfast in their demands for justice and accountability.