Raksha Bandhan Festival Dampened? Gram Rojgar Sahayaks Demand Pending Dues After Three Months

Three Months of Pending Dues

Gram Rojgar Sahayaks (village employment assistants) in the Janpad Panchayat of Deori are facing a dire situation as their wages for the past three months remain unpaid. Ahead of the upcoming Raksha Bandhan festival, the Gram Rojgar Sahayak Sangh has submitted a memorandum to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Deori and the In-charge Chief Executive Officer of Janpad Panchayat Deori, demanding immediate payment.

The Rojgar Sahayaks state that despite their consistent work on meager salaries, the non-payment has led to an acute financial crisis, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their festival celebrations this year. The memorandum highlights that while the government and administration issue directives for timely salary payments before festivals, the Rojgar Sahayaks in the Deori block have not received their dues for three months.

Concerns Over Fund Availability and Discrimination

They expressed concern that while employees in other Janpads have received their salaries, Deori is citing a lack of funds. The Rojgar Sahayaks question how a budget deficit can exist for their honorarium after the payment of salaries for MGNREGA staff. This situation raises concerns about potential mismanagement or discriminatory practices within the administration.

Financial Strain and Festival Worries

According to the Gram Rojgar Sahayaks, the inability to receive salaries for three months has not only made it difficult to meet daily expenses but also created significant problems in paying children's school fees and fulfilling other essential household needs. The looming Raksha Bandhan festival has exacerbated this financial distress.

Prachi Sandeep Khare, a Rojgar Sahayak, lamented that their festivals are often subdued due to delayed salaries around major festive occasions. Devendra Rajput, another Rojgar Sahayak, expressed his frustration, questioning why their salaries are consistently held back during festival periods. He recalled a similar situation occurring during Diwali in the past.

Threat of Strike if Demands Unmet

The Sangh has issued a stern warning: if their pending honorarium is not paid before Raksha Bandhan, the Gram Rojgar Sahayaks will be compelled to resort to protests and strikes. Umesh Mishra, President of the Gram Rojgar Sahayak Sangh Deori, confirmed that salaries have been distributed in all other blocks, with only the Deori block's Rojgar Sahayaks facing this issue.

He stated that a memorandum was submitted to the SDM regarding this problem. SDM Munawwar Khan assured them that the pending salaries would be released immediately upon budget availability. However, the Sangh has made it clear that if their demands are not met promptly, all Gram Rojgar Sahayaks will be forced to go on strike starting September 1, 2026. The Sangh holds the government and administration responsible for any such unavoidable agitation.

Hopes Pinned on Administration for Festival Cheer

Currently, the Gram Rojgar Sahayaks of Deori are anxiously awaiting the administration to make the necessary budget available and disburse their pending honorarium, hoping to celebrate the Raksha Bandhan festival without financial anxieties.