MGNREGA workers take to streets in protest against state government

Tribune News Service

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Patiala, August 9

On the tenth day of a continuous protest outside the BDPO office at Nabha, MGNREGA workers took to the streets today and staged a demonstration against the state government.

Holding long banners bearing the picture of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the workers formed a long queue on the circular road and chanted slogans, appealing to the Chief Minister to take action against those involved in corruption.

For the past 10 days, MGNREGA workers have been protesting at the BDPO office, demanding action against some Gram Rozgar Sahayaks (GRSs).

Leading the protest, Kulwinder Kaur of the Democratic MGNREGA Front said that according to the law, the BDPO had to dispose of complaints within seven days, but here, even complaints made with evidence months ago had not been acted upon.

She said the whistleblowers were being implicated in false cases and action was taken against those who insisted on following the rules.

On the occasion, Kulwant Kaur said that hundreds of workers standing from Bouran Gate to the bus stop could have even blocked the road but they did not want to trouble the people. After a demonstration of about three hours, the workers reached the BDPO office and continued the protest.

On the other hand, the GRSs Union issued a press statement stating that the MGNREGA staff were performing their duty according to the law, while some union leaders were disrupting government work. Nabha BDPO Baljit Kaur said that she had heard either side and the complaints would be disposed of as per law soon.