Loisingha: Shutdowns and lockdowns have compounded the problems of the poor and daily wagers. Scores of daily wagers of Thakurpalli under Loisingha block in Bolangir district are reportedly sitting idle as work is not available to them.
On the other hand, MGNREGS projects meant for creating employment for manual labourers and generating income opportunities for them are allegedly being executed with machines, replacing job card holders, reports said.
People of Ragad panchayat pointed out several irregularities in the rural job scheme at a time when both the Central and the state governments are emphasising on effective implementation of the MGNREGS projects in rural areas so that migrant returnees and local manual labourers can get employment and earn a livelihood in the trying times.
Gaon Sathi Bindu Biswal also alleged that machines are being used by contractors implementing the work, while she is being kept in the dark about the state of affairs.
Over 150 local people have registered themselves as job card holders in Thakurpalli village but they are yet to get employment. The panchayat authorities have awarded land development works under MGNREGS to some locals like Antar Biswal, Nila Biswal, Palu Biswal, Paban Biswal, Dingar Biswal, Abhimanyu Nayak and Kuso Nayak.
But they have allegedly engaged excavators in the projects. Besides, renovation of the Sainkata pond sprawling over 7 acres has been done with machines violating the scheme’s guidelines, it was alleged.
Contractors are mandated to set up information plaques near the MGNREGS projects, detailing about the timelines and cost estimates. But no information plaques are being set up, locals alleged.
Various watershed projects have been taken up in the area, but their work is being undertaken with machines too, alleged some farmers like Labar Nayak, Palu Biswal, Gyana Bhoi and Panchu Biswal.
Scores of local people facing shortage of work are deprived of their rights under the MGNREGS. The villagers pointed out that use of machines has impacted the earning opportunities of the poorest.
When contacted, panchayat executive officer Samaru Dandasena said that machines are employed in some works, but they are not used in the land development works.
He, however, added that these works are not allocated by the block or panchayats. All such works are being undertaken under the Watershed Mission.
PNN
