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Deputation to The Block Development Officer at Mathurapur-II:

Mathurapur-II,22nd November, 2017:- A team of 15-20 members from different organizations had submitted their deputation to the Block Development Officer, Swati Chakrabarty  of Mathurapur-II block, South 24 Pargana regarding the proper implantation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), new Ration card distribution, Maternity Benefits, Public Distribution system (PDS), Mid-Day Meal, Pradhan Mantri Aabas Yojna, Mission Nirmal Bangla, Drinking Water and Old Age Pension. Members of the following organizations occupied the office area to create pressure on the BDO while some went to submit the deputation. The BDO was well aware about the activities of the following organizations. So, she discussed about the problems in details and promised to take active actions.

NREGA:  In case of NREGA workers who are not yet paid, she promised to give the delayed wages on Monday (27/11/2017). But the whole amount will be sent to the activated job cards only and not in individual hands. Members of the team had protested against it and demanded to give the wages individually. But the BDO expressed her regrets in this matter that she had nothing to do about it. She also said that the district magistrate had ordered to stop giving job cards to the new applicants as per the order of the NREGA Commissioner. On the issue of the demand of increasing working days to 240 days for every individual worker, she stated that she had nothing to do in this case unless NREGA Commissioner gives an order for this but she would talk to the commissioner about this. And in case of the problem of denying jobs to women, she advised to apply separately for every individual group. The team asked the BDO to open nurseries of medicinal herbs so that women can work there safely and can also obtain their medical needs from the nurseries. The BDO promised that she would try to start the project soon.

Social Sector workers: - The members also raised questions about contractual laborers and their irregular salaries at various sectors like dhais at hospital, ICDS workers and asked the BDO if they could receive their wages individually. The BDO commented that she would investigate about the matter soon.

Pradhan Mantri Aabas Yojna:

Team members complained that many people who lived in a joint family earlier but are living separately at present are being deprived of the facilities under this Yojna. The BDO advised to apply individually so that she can put this matter to the District Manager.

Mission Nirmal Bangla:

When the members asked about the discrepancy in providing money under this project the BDO expressed her regret saying the District Commissioner had stopped collaborating with them in providing aid for this project.

PDS:

The BDO accepted the problems with PDS in her area and said that she is well aware about that fact that rotten and worm-affected rice/wheat is provided amongst the people and had promised to hold a meeting with the dealers of her area regarding this matter. She also added that she would order the dealers to inscribe the Godown’s name to the sacks of wheat/rice so that she can punish those fraudulent wholesalers. She had stated that she would try her best to stop irregularities in providing rations in her area.

Maternity Benefit:

The BDO had noted the demands regarding Maternity benefit and promised to talk to the District Manager about this.

 Drinking Water:

The BDO stated that they had received 30-40 tube wells and advised to give applications for every individual area.

Old Age Pension:

Team Members were also vocal in their demand of implementing Old Age Pension properly. She expressed her regrets and said that she had nothing to do about this matter as P & RD list updates automatically and unless anyone dies the list can’t be updated.

Mid-Day Meal:

The team members asked for the BDO’s intervention in the problems of Mid-Day Meal workers as they receive wages for 10 months but work for 12 months. She advised to apply individually describing their problems so that she can take steps and enable proper wages to the workers.

 The team consisted representatives from Paschim Banga khet Majoor Samity(PBKMS), Shramajibi Mahila Samity(SMS), Paschim Banga Swarojgari o Radhuni union.



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