Protests at Ravikamatham Over MGNREGA Wages

Visakhapatnam: Eighty MGNREGA workers from Cheemalapadu and Kalyan Lowa villages in Cheemalapadu panchayat of Anakapalli district staged a protest at the Ravikamatham MPDO office on Monday, drawing attention to non-payment of their full wages.

The protesters said they had dug a pond under the MGNREGA scheme braving the scorching sun. Though the state-set daily wage is Rs. 307, they have been paid only Rs.150 per day. Further, though they worked for six days, only four days had been entered in the register.

Adding to their plight is the issue of delayed and reduced wages. MGNREGA programme mandates payment every 15 days. Yet, this protocol has been observed in Cheemalapadu and Kalyan Lowa. There is a stark difference between the promised (₹307) daily wage and actual payment of only ₹150 per day. The protesters questioned whether this is administrative oversight or an intended cut in the daily wage.

Following their dharna, the MGNREGA workers submitted a formal petition to the MPDO listing their issues and demands.

Caption: MGNREGA workers from Cheemalapadu, Kalyan Lowa, Jeelugulova and Neredu Bandha protesting at the Ravikamatham MPDO office on Monday.