Khaira: Even as 80 days have passed, job card holders under the poverty alleviation scheme MGNREGS under this block in Balasore district are yet to receive their incentives, a report said.
This has sparked resentment among the beneficiaries who are reeling from financial stress due to non-payment of incentives so far.
They have warned of launching an agitation if immediate steps are not taken to pay their incentives.
The district administration had launched various projects under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to provide livelihood opportunities to the migrants returning home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many people, including the migrants, enrolled their names for a job card and worked under various projects implemented by the state government from April 1 to June 30.
The state government had then announced to provide Rs 50 per day to all the beneficiaries during the period by July 30.
The government had also earmarked an additional Rs 352 crore to provide incentives to around 32 lakh labourers engaged under the scheme.
The district administration in association with the block administration created 1.11 lakh man-days in Khaira block during the period.
Accordingly, 8,500 beneficiaries or job card holders benefited by the scheme However, though 80 days have passed since then, the block administration is yet to make the incentive payments to several beneficiaries.
Many of the beneficiaries from Kurunta and Saradanga panchayats have alleged that they are yet to receive payments towards their incentives. Namita Barik from Kurunta panchayat has alleged that delay in payment of incentives has derailed the purpose of the government behind the implementation of the scheme.
Anadi Parida of Saradanga panchayat alleged that it is quite unfortunate that money towards incentives is yet to be transferred to the bank accounts of beneficiaries even after over two months.
When contacted, Prashuram Parida, block development officer of Khaira block, said delay has been inordinate as several posts of MGNREGS staff are lying vacant in the block.
The remaining beneficiaries will receive their incentives soon and over Rs 43 lakh has been transferred to the accounts of many beneficiaries so far.
PNN