Imphal: The Village Council of Churachandpur, Manipur, representing 18 villages, launched a massive public protest at the YMA Hall, Hmuia Veng, demanding the immediate release of their long-overdue labor wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Thousands of villagers gathered during the protest, insisting on the payment of at least 40 days’ worth of wages before Christmas, recognizing the significance of the festive season for the financially strained rural population.
The rally was addressed by prominent leaders, including the Chairman of the Village Council, H. Mangchinkhup, and Manlian. Speaking to this correspondent, Chairman Mangchinkhup expressed deep frustration over the situation, emphasizing that the villagers had completed over 50 days of work, as recorded in the master roll, but their wages remained unpaid even two months after completion. He stated, “We have been denied and deprived of our rightful wages.
This has severely impacted the livelihoods of poor villagers who are struggling to prepare for the once-in-a-year Christmas celebration.”
Furthermore, Chairman Mangchinkhup revealed that funds for all blocks had been released, but the district authorities have withheld the payments for reasons unknown. Adding to their woes, the authorities allegedly directed the village leaders to organize social work and submit photographic proof as a prerequisite for releasing the payments. He questioned, “Under which provision are we being asked to carry out social work to receive our wages? This directive does not fall under any government scheme, and it’s a blatant violation of our rights.”
The protest reflects the growing discontent among rural communities over delayed payments under MGNREGA, a scheme designed to provide guaranteed employment and financial security to the poorest sections of society. The villagers demanded an immediate resolution, urging authorities to prioritize the release of funds before the festive season.
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