NREGA Labour Union burns effigy of Punjab government

Ferozepur, March 16, 2013:  An effigy of Punjab Government and NREGA officials was burnt by NREGA Labour Union in Block Guruharsahai at village Megha Rai Uttar, to register their protest for genuine demands, as a part of series of agitation for burning effigies.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.  But the things in practical are totally different.

Giving this information, AIYF Block leader Piara Singh Megha and NREGA Union block leader Raj Kumar Bahadur Ke said, the unions have started the campaign of burning the effigies of Punjab Government and NREGA officials on daily basis, to register their protest for non-payment of wages to the labour engaged under the scheme for the last two years.

They further said, the last dharna was lifted when a traffic was jammed at Golu Ka Maur, near Guruahrsahai, on assurance from ADC, Ferozepur Pritam Singh Johal to immediately release the balance wages of about Rs.60 lakh but despite passing of two months time, the payments have not been released and one can well imagine the plight of labour class in the absence of non-payment of wages to them. The Punjab Government is intentionally creating hindrance in release the payment.  They are planning to intensify the agitation in case no action is taken immediately for release of funds for making wages to the labourers engaged, under NREGA scheme.