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Other States - Rajasthan

‘Link minimum wages of rural job scheme with price index'

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: Nearly a month after the conclusion of a dharna demanding minimum wages for labourers
engaged in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, civil rights activists
met Rajasthan Chief Secretary S. Ahmed here over the week-end to remind him of the
Government's promises and demanded action on the issues raised during the agitation.

‘One rupee payment'

The delegation from the Suchana Evum Rozgar Ka Adhikar Abhiyan, led by activist Nikhil Dey,
raised the issues of increase in the minimum wages for workers from January 1, linking it to the price
index, taking action in the case of 32 village panchayats where special audits were done and
strengthening of ward sabhas.

The activists made a special reference to the case of Gudaliya village in Tonk district where the
labourers were paid just one rupee for their work on an MNREGS site and demanded action
against the guilty officers. They also sought registration of a union of MNREGS workers.

Sowmya Sivakumar of the Abhiyan said here on Sunday that the Chief Secretary was “extremely
responsive” and he issued directions in each of the matters.

The delegation pointed out that nomadic communities such as Madari, Od, Rangaswami and Satiya
were still out of the purview of the below poverty line lists, while communities like Kanjar, Sansi,
Nat, Kalbeliya, Gadiya Luhar, Banjara, Rayka, Rebari, Khairua and Bagariya had been included
recently.

Referring to a case at Hariyalimali village in Pali district, the activists said the houses belonging to
Dalit and nomadic communities built on grazing land had been razed earlier this month even though
the uprooted families possessed ration cards and domicile certificates. This despite the State
Government distributing title deeds to nomadic tribes to settle them.

Directive to Collectors

Ms. Sivakumar said Mr. Ahmed asked the Pali Collector to investigate the matter and arrange for
rehabilitation of the displaced families.

The Chief Secretary also directed the Baran Collector to urgently start a campaign to get the
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bonded labourers freed and rehabilitate them as a follow-up to the case which came to light during
the month-long dharna at Statue Circle here.

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