Janajati workers in Gandacherra, Tripura, blocked roads on April 17, 2025, protesting unpaid MGNREGA wages delayed for six months. Read about the demonstration, its impact, and the administration’s response.
Agartala Apr 17: Hundreds of Janajati women workers in Gandacherra sub-division under the Dhalai District of Tripura, staged a protest on Thursday, blocking the Gandacherra-Amarpur main road to demand long-overdue wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The demonstration began at 6 am and halted traffic for hours, spotlighting systemic delays in wage payments that have left workers struggling for months.
Six Months Without Pay: Workers’ Plight
The protesters, primarily from Bhagirath ADC Village, voiced their frustration over unpaid wages for work completed six months ago under the MGNREGA scheme. Some workers are owed payments for 20 days of labor, others for 30, and a few for as many as 40 days. This issue is not isolated to Bhagirath but plagues the entire Gandacherra sub-division, where workers have repeatedly raised concerns about delayed payments, agitators alleged.
“This is our hard-earned money. We worked under the sun for months, but the administration has failed us,” said one protester.
Local sources said, this isn’t the first time Gandacherra’s workers have taken to the streets. Earlier this month, similar protests disrupted three key routes—Gandacherra-Amarpur, Gandacherra-Amarpur, and Gandacherra-Raisyabari. The administration had promised to clear the dues before Chaitra Sankranti, prompting workers to lift the blockades. However, with no payments forthcoming, the workers returned to protest, determined to hold authorities accountable.
On Thursday, after nearly six hours of agitation, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Dumburnagar and the Deputy Collector (DCM) arrived at the scene. Following negotiations, they issued a written assurance to disburse the pending wages within seven days. Trusting this commitment, the workers ended the blockade by 12:30 pm.
Impact on Local Life
The protest coincided with Gandacherra’s weekly market day (Haat Baar), a vital economic event for the sub-division. The road closure stranded vehicles, disrupted travel, and caused significant losses for local businesses. Commuters, including shoppers and vendors, faced hours of delays, with many unable to reach their destinations on time.
Successive protests in Gandacherra highlight a systemic failure in the timely disbursement of MGNREGA wages, a critical lifeline for rural workers. Administrative delays have not only strained workers’ finances but also disrupted public life, raising questions about accountability and governance, community leaders opined.
MGNREGA wages play crucial role in sustaining life of poor people living in rural areas. Unpaid MGNREGA wages cause serious financial strains and poor Janajati families suffer. The administration should realize their plight and ensure timely disbursement of the wages”, an elderly MGNRGEA worker said.
As the administration’s latest seven-day deadline looms, all eyes are on whether this promise will be fulfilled or if workers will be forced to protest again. The situation underscores the urgent need for reforms to ensure timely wage payments under MGNREGA.
