Delay in NREGS wages triggers demand for Immediate arrears release

 Andhra Pradesh: Unemployed rural workers in Amalapuram are facing financial hardship due to the government’s delay in disbursing wages under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), prompting state leaders to demand immediate action.

Workers await six weeks of pending wages

During a visit to Bandarulanka and E Vemavaram villages in Amalapuram mandal on Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Workers Association State President Dadala Subbarao said that the government has not released even a day’s wages in the past six weeks. Workers are struggling to meet their basic needs, he added.

Leaders demand government action

Subbarao, accompanied by State Vice President Kaarem Venkateswara Rao, P Siva, Daivakrupa, and others, interacted with unemployed workers to understand their issues. He demanded the government immediately release pending arrears and ensure smooth implementation of NREGS.

Concerns over continuation of the scheme

Criticizing the statements allegedly made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some village-level officials about discontinuing the scheme, Subbarao warned of strong opposition. “If this scheme is discontinued, it will severely hurt rural livelihoods,” he said.

Key demands

The Agricultural Workers Association made several demands:

Increase NREGS working days to 200 per year
Raise daily wages to Rs 600
Provide pay slips as per the earlier system
Ensure Rs 5 lakh insurance in case of accidental death during work

The program was attended by leaders Petta Ananda Rao, Ananthalaxmi, Sarala, Raju, and Parvathi, who echoed the concerns of the rural workforce and called for urgent redressal of their grievances.