Jharkhand News: MGNREGA Workers Assigned to Election Duties in Jharkhand, Affecting MGNREGA Work

Ranchi, November 05, 2024: As the Jharkhand assembly elections approach in 2024, MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) workers are being assigned various election duties, significantly impacting ongoing MGNREGA projects. Many workers, employed on a contractual basis, have been tasked with roles such as presiding officers, sector magistrates and check post personnel. This diversion of labor is raising concerns about the effectiveness of rural development programs in the state.

MGNREGA Workers Assigned to Election Duties

The Jharkhand government has mobilized MGNREGA workers to fulfill critical roles during the election period. Reports indicate that a large number of these workers have been reallocated to oversee election logistics, including conducting checks at polling booths and assisting in the management of electoral processes.

While this shift aims to ensure a smooth electoral process, it simultaneously jeopardizes the implementation of MGNREGA schemes that provide essential employment and infrastructure support in rural areas.

Impact on MGNREGA Projects

The reassignment of MGNREGA workers to election duties has led to significant delays and disruptions in ongoing projects aimed at enhancing rural infrastructure and providing employment opportunities. With workers occupied in election-related tasks, essential activities under MGNREGA, such as the construction of roads, irrigation facilities and housing for the rural poor, are lagging.

Local authorities have reported that the productivity of MGNREGA initiatives has diminished, leading to concerns about meeting the statutory employment guarantee for rural households.

Concerns Raised by MGNREGA Employees’ Union

In light of these developments, the Jharkhand State MGNREGA Employees Union has raised serious concerns regarding the allocation of MGNREGA workers to election duties. Union president Mahesh Soren submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand, highlighting that the inclusion of contract-based MGNREGA workers in sensitive electoral roles poses multiple challenges.

The memorandum pointed out that in the event of accidents or fatalities during election duties, these workers do not receive compensation, nor do they benefit from Employee Provident Fund (EPF) or insurance coverage. The union is advocating for the immediate release of MGNREGA workers from election duties to ensure they can focus on their primary responsibilities.

JSLPS Workers Exempt from Election Duties

Interestingly, while MGNREGA workers have been directed to participate in election duties, JSLPS (Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society) workers have been explicitly exempted from such assignments. The Election Commission has instructed that contract-based officials and workers from JSLPS should not be engaged in electoral duties, allowing them to concentrate on their respective roles in promoting livelihoods and supporting rural development initiatives.

The dual challenge of fulfilling election responsibilities while maintaining MGNREGA’s objectives presents a complex scenario for the state’s rural workforce. With the elections looming, the effective management of human resources in the rural sector is crucial to sustaining the momentum of development and ensuring that the rights of workers are protected.