Kailashahar, June 3: Protesting the non-payment of salaries for the last two months and pressing for the fulfillment of long-pending demands, members of the All Tripura MGNREGA Employees Welfare Association submitted a deputation to Unakoti District Magistrate Megha Jain on Wednesday.
The deputation was organized as part of a statewide movement initiated by the association’s state committee. According to association leader Ranjit Hom, employees have already submitted memorandums to Block Development Officers across Tripura and are now conducting similar deputations simultaneously in all eight districts of the state.
Speaking to the media, Hom said the association’s primary demand is the regularization of MGNREGA employees, a demand they have been raising for many years. He expressed hope that the state government would take positive steps toward addressing the issue at the earliest.
Among the key demands highlighted in the memorandum are timely payment of monthly salaries by the 3rd of every month, enhancement of salaries for employees working under MGNREGA and VGVY-related schemes, and an increase in the annual increment rate from the existing 3 percent to 5 percent.
The association has also demanded that the retirement age of MGNREGA and VGVY employees be increased from 60 years to 65 years. Leaders pointed out that many employees have already retired after serving for nearly two decades, often with limited financial security and uncertain future prospects.
Additionally, the employees have sought benefits such as Provident Fund, Dearness Allowance (DA), and other financial benefits similar to those provided to regular government employees.
Hom stated that MGNREGA personnel, including Technical Assistants, Programme Assistants, Computer Assistants, and Gram Rozgar Sevaks (GRSs), are involved in a wide range of government activities beyond MGNREGA. These include election-related duties, implementation of housing schemes, Panchayat administration, and various rural development programmes.
Despite their extensive responsibilities, he alleged that employees often face administrative pressure whenever there are delays in funds or issues in scheme implementation. He urged the state government to recognize their contribution and address their grievances.
Association leaders also expressed appreciation for the District Magistrate’s response. According to them, the DM listened patiently to their concerns and assured that the memorandum would be forwarded to the concerned higher authorities, including the Rural Development Department.
Speaking on the issue of unpaid salaries, association secretary Sudip Dey said employees have not received their honorarium for the past two months despite continuing to work tirelessly in the field from morning till evening.
“We are creating employment opportunities for thousands of rural workers and carrying out responsibilities at the grassroots level. Yet, we are not receiving our honorarium on time. We appeal to the state government to ensure regular and timely payment of salaries,” Dey said.
The association announced that after completing district-level deputations, it will submit its demands to the Secretary of the Rural Development Department and subsequently seek a meeting with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha to press for a resolution of their issues.
