Over 50,000 MGNREGA workers in Karnataka's Haveri await Rs 16 crore in delayed wages

HAVERI: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) scheme, designed to provide employment opportunities in rural areas, has become essential for many workers. However, delayed wage payments have created significant financial difficulties for labourers. The Haveri district is currently owed approximately Rs 16 crore in MGNREGA wages from the Centre.MGNREGA provides employment to rural workers within their villages. The scheme requires gram panchayats to employ registered labourers with job cards for local projects after obtaining zilla panchayat approval. The daily wage rate, previously Rs 349, was increased to Rs 370, with direct bank transfers to workers' accounts.

However, workers in Haveri district are experiencing financial hardship due to payment delays.The workers, who contribute significantly to MGNREGA projects, educational infrastructure, and rural development across the state, struggle to manage daily expenses due to delayed wages. Whilst the scheme has helped reduce migration for employment, the payment delays are undermining its effectiveness, with over 50,000 district workers awaiting payment.

MGNREGA guidelines stipulate wage payment within 15 days of work completion. Workers are entitled to compensation for delayed payments, calculated at 0.05% of unpaid wages per day beyond the 15-day period after muster roll closure. The state govt bears responsibility for this compensation."The PDO assured us we will be paid wages within 15 days after the completion of work. But we have not received wages even after a month; it's difficult to sustain our livelihood.

Moreover, we do not know how to visit offices to get our wages. The concerned department should pay our wages within the prescribed period," demanded Kavita Dundasi, who worked under the scheme in Hirekerur taluk.Hanumantappa Byadagi, a resident of Kadaramundalagi who worked under the scheme, expressed his displeasure. He said, "Earlier, we migrated from other areas to get jobs, but after MGNREGA, we settled in our village because we were busy with the works.

But we are again in financial hardship due to the delay in our wages, making it difficult to pay school fees, medical expenses, and others. Officers have not taken responsibility and clarified that the govt needs to release funds," he said helplessly.When contacted, Ruchi Bindal, CEO, Zilla Panchayat Haveri, stated that the funds required to release from the union govt. The balance wages will be credited directly to the workers' accounts.

“The grant will be released within a week, no need to panic,” she assured."More than 1.5 lakh need to pay approximately Rs 16 crore in pending wages since April 17. These labourers have been facing financial difficulties to sustain their livelihood. The govt should release grants for the welfare of the scheme," said SD Baligar, CEO, Vanasiri Rural Development Society (NGO), Ranebennur