Delay in NREGA wages worry tribals in Attappady

These wages form the main source for their daily needs as agricultural incomes are seasonal

By Anish Pathiyil

Attappady (Kerala): The tribals employed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the villages of the Attappady Taluk in Palakkad District are under distress due to the delay in the payment of their dues. The tribals opine that their day-to-day needs are affected by the cash-crunch they face due to the delay.

The MGNREGA programme was constituted in 2005 to enhance livelihood security by providing 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to at least one member of every household. One-third of the total jobs under this scheme are reserved for women.

Coupled with the livelihood security scheme constituted by the Kerala State Government, the tribals in Attappady are entitled to 200 days of work every financial year. Since agricultural incomes are seasonal, the tribal population depends heavily on the money guaranteed through this programme for their daily expenses.

“We are currently clearing forests as part of the programme. Yes, the money comes late, so it’s difficult to spend on our children’s food and clothes. If we have a temple festival then we will need money for that too,” said Panali Moopan, the head of the Paloor village in Pudur panchayat.

Jyothi Anilkumar, the President of the Pudur panchayat however denied the delay in payment. She said that the panchayat has been very dedicated in ensuring collection of details from the workers as well the payment of wages after the completion of the work.

Based on data from the Department of Rural Development website, over 8081 transactions have been delayed for a period of 9-15 days in the panchayats of Agali, Pudur and Sholayur in Attappady. Similarly, 209 transactions have been delayed for over 15 days in these regions.

“The main reason why the wage credit is late is because the ‘maettu’ (unit leaders) are not taking up the issue with the Panchayat. If some people’s account details or identity card is needed, the unit leaders must immediately ensure that it is being sent, but that is not done,” said Murugan, the head of the Kallamala village in Agali.

The Kudubashree are implementing the ‘MGNRG Advance Payment Program’ along with the Tribal ministry and the NREGA mission to overcome this issue. This program ensures that 75% of the wages are provided as an advance to those in dire need of money. “NREGA unit leaders will take a list of people requiring the advance which will be scrutinised by the panchayat. Anybody from tribal background who works in this program is eligible for this advance payment,” said Karunakaran, Project Director of the Kudumbashree’s Attappady Special Project.