Visakhapatnam:A report published in these columns prompted swift action to address the wage differences faced by the villages of Cheemalapadu and Kalyan Lova in Ravikamatham Mandal, Anakapalle area.
Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), these workers are entitled to a salary of Rs 307 per day, but this amount may vary according to the state. However, despite working six days a week, they claim to receive only Rs 150 per day in four officially registered labor days.
Following reports in these columns, R. Poorma Devi, MGNREGA project director of Anakapalle Region and Mpdo B. Kannababu visited the village of Cheemalapadu at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday to verify the facts. When heavy rains ruined their live visit, officials convened a meeting at the Cheemalapadu secretariat and interacted with the affected workers.
“We went to the workplace at 6 a.m. and worked all day, but we were paid only four days,” one worker said. The workers’ dissatisfaction was exacerbated by confusion around the payment process and the lack of clarity on the role of Apo and technical assistants.
In addressing their concerns, Poorma Devi promises that corrective measures will be taken immediately to ensure a daily wage of Rs 307 for the labour force for six days.
