Thread by @mullawasiti

The protest of NREGA workers led by @NREGA_Sangharsh enters the 15th day. Today, at Jantar Mantar, the Paschim Bengal Khet Majoor Samity is protesting against the corruption, introduction of NMMS App and ABPS in NREGS.

#saveNREGA

Addressing the workers, Rakhi Sehgal, Trade Unionist and labour researcher said that Government knows it really well that getting PDS through Aadhaar is quite difficult, still it decided to introduce the ABPs in NAREGA to make it more inefficient and problematic for workers

Sandhiya Kumari, a NAREGA worker from WB has not been paid since February, 2022 for the work that she did in NREGA.

This is quite disturbing to note that NRGA workers in WB have not been paid for years.

Sandip Singh from Paschim Midnapur has several demands from the government.
He demands that the pending wages should be paid immediately. The wage of NAREGA worker ought be increased by the Government from 223 to ₹600. That period of work should be increased to 200 days

He says that NREGA workers in WB have not been paid since December 2021 and in some cases for three to four years. He demands the revocation of NMMS App and says that due to poor connectivity the workers don’t get attendance. #saveNREGA @NREGA_Sangharsh

Aduri, a #NREGA worker from Purulia has not been paid since past 14 months. She says it's difficult to provide food to family and especially the children. She doesn't have a house as well. She demands that she must be paid immediately and must also be provided with work.

Akali Sarkar, #NREGA worker from South Dinaspur, WB says that she has not been paid for the work of 90 days. Her husband can't work as he has become aged. She comes from Harirampur Block. She had worked in 2021. She said 300 people had worked for 90 days. None has been paid.

She spoke to BDO and Panchayat. She was assured for the payment. But it was of no avail.

Sapna, from Dakhin Dinajpur, #NREGA worker, informed that in many a cases it is the Panchayat that holds the Job cards of #NREGA workers and workers are not aware about it.

Ekadashi Haldar, from South 24 Pargana, informs that Panchayat has seized her Job card for the last six months and she has not been able to get it.

#saveNREGA #NREGA

Pratima from a #NREGA worker and her husband worked from 23 February 2022 to 10 March 2022 but they are not paid for the work. They met the BDO and Panchayat and they were assured of the payment of their wages. But they are still unable to get it.

Sapan Kumar Bauri, a #NREGA worker from Purulia
worked for 56 but didn't get the wages. He went to Panchayat, BDO and District collector but was replied that due to corruption in the scheme, the Central government has stopped the payment.

He was told that 'even if he dies, he will not be able to get the payment '

This is harsh and saddest reality of the plight of #NREGA workers.

Chhotelal from Bakura zila of WB sings a song for 'Jal, Jungle and Jameen'

'ganon chhodo ki nahi'

@AnjaliB_ of Right to Food Campaign is here to express her solidarity with the workers.

She says that in democracy, our right is to make the government hear our concerns. We are the tax payers. We all pay taxes even when we buy salt. We will ask questions and seek answers

It's our democratic right.

She says that government is trying to dismantle schemes such as #NREGA. Corruption stops with transparency and not through app. App stops the payment of #NREGA workers.

This app has been designed to destroy the NREGA scheme.

This protest is to make the government understand that we will resist it's attempt to dismantle NREGA. At a time when people are struggling to survive with record inflation & unemployment, the govt is attacking livelihoods

People are unable to afford gas cylinder, oil and other basic necessities as they have not been paid their wages. PM says he will hold webinars with stakeholders on the budget. He should come to Jantar Mantar & listen to workers here.

Govt is working only for few. #HindenburgReport has exposed scams by Adani. Govt is using People's hard earned money to bail out crony capitalists.
Govt should remember that in a democracy, power is not permanent. She ends with
"Hum Apna Adhikar Jante, Nahi Kisi se Bheek Mangte"