The Government of India launched the world’s largest flagship scheme in 2006; Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with an aim to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work ,who are unable to earn their livelihood. In compliance to the directions of the central government; the scheme was implemented in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2009 and as per the guidelines of the Act, Supporting Staff viz Gram Rozgar Sahayak, Technical Assistant, Programme Officer, MIS Operator, Social Auditors,etc; was recruited by the government through proper recruitment procedure, for the smooth functioning of the scheme on a meagre honorarium. The recruited supporting staff being highly qualified, dedicated their all professional skills and left no stone unturned to make the scheme successful. They worked honestly without any holiday and despite of various hardships made the state of Jammu and Kashmir number one in the entire country. The successful achievement of the targets before the stipulated time, is the concrete outcome of the sweat of hardwork of this dedicated supporting staff.
It is most worthy to mention here that in the initial stage of the scheme , when MGNREGA Supprting Staff was not recruited, the department of Rural Development spent mere a handful of allotment in the state and failed to achieve even a half the targets. It was only when supporting staff was recruited , the department not only achieve above targets and create good assets, but was given a prestigious award by the Governmnt of India for greater achievements and transparency. The department of Rural Development should feel proud upon the MGNREGA Supporting Staff, as they are the cream of the department. Initially, this supporting staff was given charge of mere MGNREGA, but with the passage of time when department became aware of their high calibre and talent, were also assigned the charge of other centrally & State sponsored schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission, Pradan Mantri Awas Yojna, CDF,CD-Pyt, CDS, 14th FC,15th FC,etc. for better results.
In 2016, Govenment of India took an initiative to Geo tagg all the assets of the MGNREGA created till date, through an application software; Bhuvan, in order to bring greater transparency and accountability. The supporting staff especailly the meagre paid employee Gram Rozgar Sahayaks, utilized their all skills and getoagged tens of thousands of assets in just three months, despite of the turmoil,curfews & internet blockage. And It was just by their praise worthy efforts that department of Rural Development was given an award at Delhi.
Today, when almost a decade passed since their inception; the department of Rural Development didn’t formulate a job policy till date in order to secure their future. The supporting staff,who dedicated their cream of life in the accomplishment of different types of assignments in the department; find their future in darkness. The department seemed to have sucked their blood and talent like puppets and is in no mood to listen their long pending genuine issue of absorption in the department. The unkept and fake assurance given by the government in general and department in particular endangered their livelihood and they are left with no other option but to go on an indefinite strike to seek justice. It is heartening to know that these employees are given threats by the higher ups to call off their strike, as the department seems to have been paralysed and is unable to deliver , since the supporting in on strike.There is nobody in the government who could listen them , feel their pain and try to rehabilate their wounds. In this age of expensiveness , they are being paid six thousands rupees which also not on time; is too little to buy even two clothes and how they can make the both ends meet.
The attitude of the government is condemnable in every respect. When government can formulate a job policy in favour of illiterate and unskilled one lac casual labourers , why it can’t accommodate these highly qualified supporting staff, who has taken the department to new heights. In fact, the department of Rural Development of Governmnt of Jammu and Kashmir, has progressed in leaps and bounds by the efforts of the supporting staff. Moreover, the department has an equivalent number of vacancies as their strength, so it is not a Herculean task to absorb them all In one go. By following the draconian policies , the government of Jammu and Kashmir is directly alienating the youth folk of the state and darkening their future life. The Governmnt of Jammu and Kashmir must adopt youth oriented policies and programmes In order to prosper the future and dignity of the youth. Youth is the future of a nation, if there is any problem with the youth , the problem lies with the state.
The views/comments expressed in this article are my personal.
Author is Social Activist and writes on various issues of national and international levels and can be reached at sahilshabir@rocketmail.com
