Agartala, 3rd June 2026: Expressing deep resentment over the non-payment of salaries for two consecutive months, members of the All Tripura MGNREGA Employees Welfare Association, Unakoti District Committee, on Wednesday submitted a deputation to the District Magistrate of Unakoti, Megha Jain (IAS).
Acting in line with a directive from the state committee, employees from various blocks across the district observed a half-day leave and assembled at the District Magistrate’s office to press for their long-pending demands.
Speaking to the media after submitting the deputation, Ranjit Home, a member of the district committee, highlighted the workers’ grievances. He stated that the primary demand of the association is the regularization of MGNREGA employees, many of whom have been serving in various government departments for nearly two decades without any job security.
He further pointed out that the delay in salary disbursement for the past two months has caused severe financial distress, making it increasingly difficult for workers to support their families. The association has demanded that salaries be released regularly by the 3rd of every month.
Employees engaged under MGNREGA and BGBY schemes reportedly handle a wide range of responsibilities beyond their designated roles. These include managing key administrative functions of Panchayats and assisting in the implementation of major government programmes such as PMAY-G, IHHL, PDS, and works under the 15th Finance Commission, in addition to election-related duties.
Despite shouldering substantial responsibilities—from opening Panchayat offices to executing multiple schemes—the workers alleged that their financial compensation remains disproportionately low.
Among the key demands raised by the association are the regularization of services, timely payment of salaries, salary enhancement, an increase in the annual increment rate from 3 percent to 5 percent, extension of the retirement age from 60 to 65 years, introduction of Provident Fund and other financial benefits, and provision of Dearness Allowance (DA) on par with regular government employees.
The Unakoti District Secretary of the association, who was also present, informed that the District Magistrate gave a patient hearing to their concerns and assured that the matter would be forwarded to the appropriate higher authorities.
While the assurance has offered a ray of hope, leaders of the association warned that failure to resolve the issues promptly may compel them to launch a larger agitation in the coming days.
The deputation programme was attended by District President Bikram Datta, District Secretary Sudip Dey, Executive Members Phul Miya, Ranjit Nama, and Bappa Dey, along with several block-level leaders and workers from across the district.
