The Hindu : National : “Make life safe for NREGP activists in Jharkhand”

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“Make life safe for NREGP activists in Jharkhand”

Special Correspondent

Intellectuals write to Manmohan, seeking his intervention

Job card should specify payments made and rights of labourers
Keep muster roll at workplace

NEW DELHI: Intellectuals and social activists have sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention in implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme and to ensure the safety of activists associated with it in Jharkhand.

In a letter, they have brought to his notice the serious problems in the functioning of NREGP in the State and the climate of terror faced by those who expose corruption.

While welcoming the Jharkhand government’s decision to go in for a CBI inquiry into the murder of activist Lalit Mehta, the intellectuals demanded safety for other NREGP activists in Palamu, Koderma and Singhbhum districts, and political intervention to remove hurdles to establish panchayati raj institutions by holding elections.

“Act on complaints”

Action should be taken within 30 days of irregularities in the NREGP being brought to the notice of authorities, and extensive advertising and publicity given to create awareness among labourers.

New job cards, with a column for payments made and clearly specifying the rights of labourers, should be produced and distributed. Unemployment allowance should be paid without delay.

The muster roll should be kept at the workplace and attendance recorded. A helpline should be provided in each sub-division, besides ensuring transparency and speedy disposal of complaints.

The activists also met Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, and submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the State Resident Commissioner here.

The signatories to the letter include Aruna Roy, Arundhati Roy, Nikhil Dey, Swami Agnivesh, Subhashini Ali, Kuldip Nayar, Annie Raja, Medha Patkar, Prof. Kamal Chenoy, Dunu Roy and Babu Mathew.

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