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Gehlot issues directives for timely payments

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has issued a series of directives to ensure timely and “adequate' payments to the workers of the job scheme, Mahatma Gandhi NREGS in the State. The new initiatives from the Chief Minister include the provision of conducting enquiry by the competent officer into the complaints of delayed payments and payment of less amount which, if found correct, would invite penalties on those responsible.

The instructions, coming in the wake of the recent 47-day long Mazdoor Haq dharna by the Suchana Evum Rozgar Ka Abhiyan, include specifics on measurement of work accomplished in groups, digitalizing of muster rolls of MGNREGS workers all over Rajasthan, grievances' redressal and other inbuilt checks and balances on any possible anomalies with the support of the Lok Pal, a permanent committee set up on the job scheme. The steps include better coordination between the post offices and the Cooperatives Department in making payments to workers.

In the case of delay in payments and cases of habitual low payments — similar to the much talked about Re.1 payment made to MGNREGA workers in a village in Tonk district sometime back — the District Collector, who is the Programme Coordinator, can institute an enquiry and if needed, can take pecuniary penal action against those responsible under Payment of Wages Act 1936. The Labour Department has been authorized to hear the complaints on payment under the provisions of a notification issued on July 29 this year.

The Government has also amended the Panchayati Raj Act, 1991 to empower the Collector, CEO of the Zila Parishad and Development Officer to take action against the erring Government employees as well as the elected functionaries of the panchayats. The Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department has also set up a muster roll tracking register through which workers' muster rolls could be monitored on a regular basis. eom

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