NSVDBA asks banks to disburse MGNREGA wages by July end

Dimapur, July 15 (MExN): The Nagaland State VDB Association (NSVDBA) today expressed “strong resentment and anger” at non-payment of MGNREGA wages by banks due to alleged cash crunch.  

Quoting “reliable sources”, the association in a press statement said that the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India has released the pending liabilities for the year 2016-17, which was accordingly released by the State Government and remitted in the bank accounts of the respective Village Development Boards (VDBs) across the State.  

However, it alleged, despite repeated appeals and requests by various VDBs in their respective blocks to withdraw the money, some banks have not yet disbursed it till date causing much hardships and sufferings to the poor people in the villages.  

“Cash shortage in the bank for a short period of time is understandable, however non-payment citing cash shortage for such a long period of time is uncalled for and inexcusable,” asserted the statement issued by NSVDBA, President, Tohoshe Awomi, Vice President, Dr. Imtinungba Arsongchanger, and General Secretary, Manthungo Kikon.  

Stating that the banks should realize that MGNREGA wages are very important source of livelihood for most families in Nagaland, NSVDBA added, “The delay by the bank for payment of the much anticipated wages has become unbearable.”  

The statement further warned that in the event of failure by the banks to disburse the MGNREGA wages by end of July 2017, the NSVDBA shall be compelled to take any course of action or resort to agitation.