Sangareddy: MGNREGA workers denied summer allowance, worksite facilities

The workers had to be paid 20 per cent, 25 per cent and 30 per cent summer allowance during March, April and May months respectively. However, no additional payment is being done to the workers

Sangareddy: Lack of facilities at the worksite and even summer allowance is taking its toll on the MGNREGA workers.

The death of Boini Lachamma (52) at Ryakal at the very beginning of summer has raised several eyebrows as officials had placed no shade or tent for the workers here. According to officials, nearly 34,236 workers are engaged in different works across 24 mandals now in the district. The workers would have to be provided shade at the workplace, first-aid, and summer allowance. However, the officials were placing no tents at the workplace. The workers had to be paid 20 per cent, 25 per cent and 30 per cent summer allowance during March, April and May months respectively. However, no additional payment is being done to the workers.

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When contact, officials at the DRDA office said they used to pay the summer allowance when the payments were carried through from State government’s exchequer. However, now payments were being done through the National Informatics Centre of the Centre during the last two years. Since then, workers were being denied the summer allowance. While the temperatures were soaring at 40 degrees Celsius, lack of facilities at the worksite is seriously affecting the workers.

The workers demanded pitching of tents, placing of first aid material including ORS sachets and others. DRDA officials said the Centre was not releasing funds for tent, first-aid and other facilities. However, they assured to get the tents and drinking water by talking to panchayat department officials.