MF AHMAD
Daltonganj, Jan 3: The Jharkhand government has increased the ex gratia for MGNREGA workers from Rs 75,000 to Rs 200,000 in the event of unnatural death, including murder. There is a similar hike in disability relief from Rs 37,500 to Rs 75, 000 and in the case of normal death, the hike is from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1,00,000.
Moreover, death by drowning in Dobha which had an ex gratia worth Rs 50,000 has been increased to Rs 1,00,000.
The state convener of the Narega Watch James Herunj said the rise in ex gratia relief to MGNREGA workers is overdue but it is worth asking the government to further ease the payment of wages to the MGNREGA workers.
Palamu DC Anjaneyulu Dodde has directed the district public relation office to publicise this hike in ex gratia relief to as many people as possible so that no MGNREGA worker or his family remains unaware of the relief to them in their hour of tragedy.
As MGNREG workers come from the poorest and unskilled sector, the death of the worker matters worse to the family and this increase in relief is a mitigation measure, said state convener of the Narega Watch James Herunj.
The state rural development department issued amendments to the existing provision of ex gratia relief to the working or worked-out MGNREGA workers.
The ex gratia relief comes from the state fund and is for MGNREGA workers where the age of the two genders must be up to 65. The ex gratia relief does not call for any 100 days of MGNREGA work but only 15 days for the entitlement of the ex gratia relief.
The state rural development department issued a Sankalp to this effect on this December 21. It has come into effect following the issuance of the Sankalp of the state rural development department.
All terms and conditions remain the same which were introduced on August 1, 2011, including MGNREGA worker having to have a 15-day working in an MGNREGA scheme, death/murder/disability in the same financial year or in the next financial year etc.
