Withdraw exploitative technologies, offer NREGA jobs: Jharkhand rural workers protest in Ranchi

By A Representative

On 28 September 2024 the Raj Bhawan in Ranchi echoed with the chants of over 200 workers protesting against ongoing violations of their rights and the systematic dismantling of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) by the Modi Government. This protest, organized by Jharkhand NREGA Watch and the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, drew participants from Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, and West Bengal, all uniting in their demand for the act to be implemented fully, ensuring guaranteed employment, timely wage payments, and fair access to work without arbitrary exclusions.

On the anniversaries of Bhagat Singh's birth and Shankar Guha Niyogi's martyrdom, Praful Linda from the Adivasi Adhikar Manch urged workers to draw inspiration from revolutionary figures and challenge the anti-poor, crony capitalist practices of the current government. Solidarity was also shown by representatives from the Jharkhand Mazdoor Sangathan and Jharkhand Kisan Parishad, who joined the protest. The workers demanded an immediate withdrawal of "exploitative technologies" like the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) and the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS), which have been described as opaque and arbitrary.

Maheshwari from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, reported that NMMS frequently leads to wage denials in her panchayat, with officials claiming workers are not listed on muster rolls despite completing their tasks. Workers argue that these systems have led to the exclusion of countless individuals, payment delays, and work denials, effectively eroding the essence of NREGA.

A critical issue highlighted during the protest was the complete suspension of NREGA work in West Bengal since December 2021. Citing alleged implementation breaches, the Centre invoked Section 27 of the MGNREGA Act, freezing state funds and halting all operations. Consequently, thousands of workers in West Bengal have been unpaid for prior work and have been unable to seek new employment under NREGA for nearly three years.

Ambarish from Purulia district criticized the Central Government's rationale of penalizing workers for governmental corruption, insisting that NREGA operations must resume without delay, regardless of any investigations. In Jharkhand, NREGA projects are often carried out using JCB machines, violating the Act, while middlemen disproportionately enrich themselves at the expense of the workers. There is a notable lack of political will to confront these widespread issues, which creates a precarious situation for workers caught between unscrupulous middlemen and an indifferent state.

The protestors called on the government to enhance social audits and grievance redress mechanisms under MGNREGA, ensuring independence and transparency in order to combat corruption and improve accountability. As state elections approach, workers appeared determined to cast their votes for those who prioritize the revival of NREGA.

They also expressed frustration over their repeated efforts to engage in dialogue with the Minister for Rural Development, which have been thwarted by obstacles and unfulfilled promises. A recent scheduled meeting on September 24, 2024, was canceled without notice, underscoring the ministry's reluctance to engage with the concerns of affected workers. Only one of the six proposed representatives from NREGA workers' unions was approved by the Ministry, further evidencing their unwillingness to listen.

With rural poverty escalating and job opportunities dwindling, the significance of NREGA has never been more critical, protesters said. For many workers and their families, the income generated through NREGA is vital for survival. The collective message from rural workers to both Central and State governments is emphatic: “NREGA work at a living wage is our right, and we will not allow it to be denied!”

Regional convention of NREGA workers

A day later, on September 29, 2024, the inaugural Regional Convention of NREGA workers took place in Ranchi. The event was jointly organized by Jharkhand NREGA Watch and NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, attracting over 100 NREGA and unorganized workers from five states: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar. Approximately ten workers' collectives participated, showcasing solidarity across the region.

Representatives from various collectives attended the convention, including Jharkhand NREGA Watch, Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan (Bihar), Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (West Bengal), NREGA Watch (Bihar), Odisha Shramjeevi Manch, Right to Food and Work Network (West Bengal), Chhattisgarh Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan, Pravaasi Mazdoor Sangathan (Bihar), and Udayani Social Action Forum (West Bengal).

Participants, dedicated to the right to livelihood and dignified living, addressed various issues hindering the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (NREGA) and explored ways to enhance its implementation. The situation for NREGA in states like Jharkhand and West Bengal remains particularly dire, with advocates stating, “NREGA has been in the ICU for a long time.”

The convention consisted of two primary sessions. The first featured workers sharing their challenges with NREGA, while the second included parallel sessions focused on the specific difficulties faced by workers.

Although the experiences varied, common themes emerged, including the lack of guaranteed employment, delayed wage payments, insufficient wage compensation, arbitrary exclusions facilitated by technology, and the ongoing implementation of counterproductive technologies like the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) and the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS).

The parallel sessions addressed topics such as the availability of work for NREGA workers, worksite conditions, working hours, wage rates and payments, the employment status of physically challenged individuals and marginalized tribes (especially women), and the excessive use of technology in NREGA, alongside suggested alternatives.

Discussions highlighted the long and challenging journey ahead for workers striving for a “pro-worker law implemented by an anti-worker system.” For many, the wages earned through NREGA are crucial not just for their livelihoods, but for survival itself.

The convention closed with a resounding message from rural workers directed at the Central and State governments: "NREGA work at a living wage is our right, and we will not relinquish it! We will march to Delhi to ensure our voices are heard and our rights secured!"

---

Click here for the charter of demands by NREGA Sangharsh Morcha

Comments

1857 War of Independence... when Hindu-Muslim separatism, hatred wasn't an issue

"The Sepoy Revolt at Meerut", Illustrated London News, 1857 By Shamsul Islam* Large sections of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs unitedly challenged the greatest imperialist power, Britain, during India’s First War of Independence which began on May 10, 1857; the day being Sunday. This extraordinary unity, naturally, unnerved the firangees and made them realize that if their rule was to continue in India, it could happen only when Hindus and Muslims, the largest two religious communities were divided on communal lines.

The curious case of multiple entries of a female voter of Maharashtra: What ECI's online voter records reveal

By Venkatesh Nayak* Cyberspace is agog with data, names and documents which question the reliability of the electoral rolls prepared by the electoral bureaucracy in Maharashtra prior to the General Elections conducted in 2024. One such example of deep dive probing has brought to the surface, the name of one female voter in the 132-Nalasopara (Gen) Vidhan Sabha Constituency in Maharashtra. Nalasopara is part of the Palghar (ST) Lok Sabha constituency. This media report claims that this individual's name figures multiple times in the voter list of the same constituency.

N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: CRZ nod is arbitrary, without jurisdiction

By Krishnakant* A case-appeal has been filed against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and others granting CRZ clearance for establishment of intake and outfall facility for proposed 6000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Mithi Virdi, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) vide order in F 11-23 /2014-IA- III dated March 3, 2015. The case-appeal in the National Green Tribunal at Western Bench at Pune is filed by Shaktisinh Gohil, Sarpanch of Jasapara; Hajabhai Dihora of Mithi Virdi; Jagrutiben Gohil of Jasapara; Krishnakant and Rohit Prajapati activist of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the MoEF&CC, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and case is kept for hearing on August 20, 2015. Appeal No. 23 of 2015 (WZ) is filed, a...

Spirit of leadership vs bondage: Of empowered chairman of 100-acre social forestry coop

By Gagan Sethi* This is about Khoda Sava, a young Dalit belonging to the Vankar sub-caste, who worked as a bonded labourer in a village near Vadgam in Banskantha district of North Gujarat. The year was 1982. Khoda had taken a loan of Rs 7,000 from the village sarpanch, a powerful landlord doing money-lending as his side business. Khoda, who had taken the loan for marriage, was landless. Normally, villagers would mortgage their land if they took loan from the sarpanch. But Khoda had no land. He had no option but to enter into a bondage agreement with the sarpanch in order to repay the loan. Working in bondage on the sarpanch’s field meant that he would be paid Rs 1,200 per annum, from which his loan amount with interest would be deducted. He was also obliged not to leave the sarpanch’s field and work as daily wager somewhere else. At the same time, Khoda was offered meal once a day, and his wife job as agricultural worker on a “priority basis”. That year, I was working as secretary...

Ground reality: Israel would a remain Jewish state, attempt to overthrow it will be futile

By NS Venkataraman* Now that truce has been arrived at between Israel and Hamas for a period of four days and with release of a few hostages from both sides, there is hope that truce would be further extended and the intensity of war would become significantly less. This likely “truce period” gives an opportunity for the sworn supporters and bitter opponents of Hamas as well as Israel and the observers around the world to introspect on the happenings and whether this war could have been avoided. There is prolonged debate for the last several decades as to whom the present region that has been provided to Jews after the World War II belong. View of some people is that Jews have been occupants earlier and therefore, the region should belong to Jews only. However, Christians and those belonging to Islam have also lived in this regions for long period. While Christians make no claim, the dispute is between Jews and those who claim themselves to be Palestinians. In any case...

Proposed Modi yatra from Jharkhand an 'insult' of Adivasi hero Birsa Munda: JMM

Counterview Desk The civil rights network, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (JMM), which claims to have 30 grassroots groups under its wings, has decided to launch Save Democracy campaign to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra to be launched on November 15 from the village of legendary 19th century tribal independence leader Birsa Munda from Ulihatu (Khunti district).

Two more "aadhaar-linked" Jharkhand deaths: 17 die of starvation since Sept 2017

Kaleshwar's sons Santosh and Mantosh Counterview Desk A fact-finding team of the Right to Feed Campaign, pointing towards the death of two more persons due to starvation in Jharkhand, has said that this has happened because of the absence of aadhaar, leading to “persistent lack of food at home and unavailability of any means of earning.” It has disputed the state government claims that these deaths are due to reasons other than starvation, adding, the authorities have “done nothing” to reduce the alarming state of food insecurity in the state.

Govt of India "tarnishing" NGO reputation, dossier leaked selectively: Amnesty

Counterview Desk Amnesty International India has said that a deliberate attempt is being made to tarnish its reputation by leaking a dossier, supposedly made by investigating agencies, to media without giving it access to any such information. The high profile NGO’s claim follows a Times Now report about proceedings launched by investigative agencies, including Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the rights body for “violations” of rules pertaining to overseas donations.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

Search This Blog