Dumka: When job cards were distributed among villagers of Chiharbona under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in 2006, migrant labourers had started dreaming of a dignified life. But, two years on, their hopes have nosedived.
Reason: the tribal daily wagers of the hamlet never got a job against the card though it is mandatory under the act to provide 180 days of work against the card.
Located around 20km away from Dumka district headquarters, Chiharbona, a typical tribal hamlet, does not have any income-generating opportunities. Lack of irrigation facilities and infrastructure has made life difficult for the residents of the hamlet.
The village, divided into six tolas (localities), comprises Santhals, Paharias and economically weak non-tribals. Most of those living there are daily wagers and many migrate to distant places in search of jobs.
“When 44 people from our village received the job cards in 2006, we thought our fortune would change in soon. But now we are frustrated,” said Sibodhan Marandi, a resident of the village. Suresh Moholi, Marandi’s neighbour, echoed him.
A block worker said that no work had been allotted under NREGA in the village. He 6also disclosed that job cards were not distributed among several villagers due to lack of work.
The frustrated villagers have not thrown away the cards, though. They still have a glimmer of hope.
With cards in plastic covers, several of them are still running from post to pillar to get some job. It’s a different matter that they have no idea when the card would actually establish their right to work.
Babu Dhan Hansdak, a landless labourer of Chiharbona, Premlal Marandi and Dhaneshwar Marandi are still hopeful that one day their cards would fetch them jobs.
Source: The Telegraph
Reason: the tribal daily wagers of the hamlet never got a job against the card though it is mandatory under the act to provide 180 days of work against the card.
Located around 20km away from Dumka district headquarters, Chiharbona, a typical tribal hamlet, does not have any income-generating opportunities. Lack of irrigation facilities and infrastructure has made life difficult for the residents of the hamlet.
The village, divided into six tolas (localities), comprises Santhals, Paharias and economically weak non-tribals. Most of those living there are daily wagers and many migrate to distant places in search of jobs.
“When 44 people from our village received the job cards in 2006, we thought our fortune would change in soon. But now we are frustrated,” said Sibodhan Marandi, a resident of the village. Suresh Moholi, Marandi’s neighbour, echoed him.
A block worker said that no work had been allotted under NREGA in the village. He 6also disclosed that job cards were not distributed among several villagers due to lack of work.
The frustrated villagers have not thrown away the cards, though. They still have a glimmer of hope.
With cards in plastic covers, several of them are still running from post to pillar to get some job. It’s a different matter that they have no idea when the card would actually establish their right to work.
Babu Dhan Hansdak, a landless labourer of Chiharbona, Premlal Marandi and Dhaneshwar Marandi are still hopeful that one day their cards would fetch them jobs.
Source: The Telegraph
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