PBKMS and SMS observe the 16th NREGA Diwas across West Bengal
Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS) and Shramajivee Mahila Samity (SMS) marked the 16th anniversary of the implementation of the public works programme which came into force on 2nd February 2006. The day reminds us of the long struggle undertaken by the working class to successfully demand a guarantee from the state in accessing wage-based employment. Despite having clear provisions in the Directive Principles of State Policy and forming an important component of the 'right to life with dignity' guaranteed by the constitution, it took more than 50 long years for the political leadership to recognize the same. Though all the demands we raised during our decade long non-violent struggle to uphold the 'right to work' are yet to be met, the day is still marked with reverence by people's organizations for successfully convincing the then union government to roll out a public works programme. The global pandemic and the vulnerabilities of the migrant population in the urban spaces have highlighted the importance of this programme which has been a lifesaver for the rural communities.
We are also witnessing an unenthusiastic implementation of the programme, which is unarguably one of the most impactful rights-based legislation(s) in post-Independent India. Job cardholders are being denied work, wages are getting inordinately delayed, corrupt practices creeping in without access to proper grievance redressal mechanisms, etc. The union budget of 2022-23 has also been disappointing with respect to the allocation for the public works programme, with the budgetary provisions failing to respond to the demand for work generated by rural households.
On this day, we met the officials of the panchayat, block and district administrations across West Bengal and submitted a demand charter listing out our immediate concerns on the implementation of the programme.
One of our activists with the receipted copy of the demand charter after submitting it to the office of the Block Development Officer in Shantipur, Nadia
The following demands have been placed before the Central and State Governments:
1. 200 days of guaranteed wage employment for each and every individual in the rural areas.
2. Fixation of minimum daily wage at ₹600 in line with the recommendations of the 7th pay commission.
3. Disbursal of wages should be according to the laid down provisions of the law, which guarantees payment of wages within a fortnight of the completion of work.
4. No worker should not be paid less than the stipulated wages under any pretext.
5. Unemployment benefits should be disbursed in the manner stated in the law on not being provided work within a fortnight of submitting work demand applications.
6. In accordance with the provisions of the law, drinking water, shed and creche facility for children accompanying their mothers to the work sites should be made available.
7. Alternatives to earthwork should be made available, especially for women.
8. Every eligible applicant should be provided with a job card and no job card should be cancelled arbitrarily.
9. Appropriate measures should be taken to prevent sexual harassment of women at work sites.
Deputations and demand charters have been submitted across 12 districts in West Bengal with the senior activists taking a lead role in engaging with the bureaucracy and the political leadership.
