Umaria : Large scale exodus of labourers is being witnessed in the district and it is estimated that 50 thousand labourers have left with their families for Sagar, Beena and Khurai for employment on farms.
Hordes of labourers and their families have boarded trains from Mahroi, Khanna Banjari, Chandiya Umaria and Birsinghpur Pali railway stations during last 3-4 days. At least 20 thousand tickets have been sold at Mahroi railway station in last few days.
Labourers have been facing a tough time due to unfavourable monsoon and no jobs under MNREGS. Such has become the condition of labourers that they did not even have money to buy food grain from PDS shops. These conditions have led to mass exodus of labourers, particularly from Manpur, Amarpur, Chilhari, Itma, Padkhuri, Khalaundh, Indwar and Devgawan villages.
Drought like conditions: Kailash Patel, sarpanch of Asodh Panchayat says that the district has received less than half of average rainfall and it has led to drought like conditions. Crops are withering and there is no work for farm labourers. The labourers have no choice but to seek employment elsewhere.
MNRGES wages not paid: Wages for many works done under MNRGES has not been paid. The MNRGES portal is locked as MIS was not uploaded in due time limit by village Panchayats and different departments. The district administration and state government is aware of this situation but nothing has been done to resolve it. Members of Manpur Janpad Panchayat had boycotted the meeting to lodge protest against such situation.
Tribals wait for wages: Labourers of Salaiya village have not been paid wages for fencing, check dam construction and other works. These Baiga tribals have been paid despite repeated requests to Deputy Ranger of Pali range Parshuram and the Beat Guard. Scores of tribals were kept waiting for full two days at range office and later they were bluntly told that no payment would be made.