Make timely payment to NREGA workers,Centre tells states

The Centre came down heavily on state governments over delay in payment of wages to NREGA workers and asked them ensure that it is done timely.

The Centre on Wednesday came down heavily on state governments over delay in payment of wages to NREGA workers and asked them ensure that it is done timely,and said they should understand the spirit of the Act and be “sensitive” towards its implementation.

Rural Development Minister C P Joshi also pulled up the states for non-payment of unemployment allowances to NREGA job card holders and asked them to clear their dues,underlining that state governments are not doing so “because they will have to incur the expenditure from their own pocket”.

This came during the first day of the performance review committee meeting of the ministry here,official sources in the ministry said.

“How can someone (NREGA workers) wait for 90 days to get their wage. What is the authority of any state in delaying the payment of wages?” the sources quoted the minister as saying.

“Provide job to the eligible villagers under NREGA within 15 days from the date of the the receipt of their application or pay unemployment allowance…” Joshi said.

Secretaries and representatives of all the state governments and Union Territory administrations,which are responsible for implementation of rural development programs,are participating in the meet which will conclude on Thursday.

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