AFTER a long struggle in Kurkuri Panchayat at Dularpur village led by All India Agricultural and Rural Labour Association (AIARLA) in Gadhani Block of Bhojpur, the administration had to bowed down in order to give MNREGA workers work.
AIARLA leader Ram Chhapit Ram told that on 21 May JCB machines were used for digging when the work for the canal at the Dularpur Aahar (pond) began. In protest hundreds of MNREGA workers went to the work site to stop the JCB machines. The protesters stood their ground for 36 hours continuously, after which the Canals Department SDO came to the spot. He argued that this was not MNREGA work but work related to the Canals Department; therefore it would be done by JCB machines only. CPIML leaders opposed this strongly and said whichever Department it comes under, the work must be given to MNREGA workers. Finally the administration had to back down and the SDO gave MNREGA workers work at the other side of the Aahar on the suggestion of CPIML activists. The SDO agreed under pressure, a tender was put out and cards were issued to 150 MNREGA workers who were asked to come to work on 3 June.
However, on 3 June the local Rozgar Sewak turned up on the site and started obstructing the work. At this point Manoj Manzil and Gadhani Block Secretary Naveen Kumar rushed to the site to intervene. Ultimately Rozgar Sewak withdrew and under pressure of protest the village Mukhiya also had to come in support of the workers.
The CPIML leaders took up some issues in their talks with the Rozgar Sewak which the latter had to concede and the following decisions were agreed upon: workers would be separately engaged to look after the children of women workers and would get paid MNREGA wages for this work; Arrangements would be made for food and nutrition for children, and also for tents for shade and rest. Despite the work on 3 June being obstructed, the workers were paid wages. Thus the MNREGA workers emerged victorious in this battle. Leading the struggle were Ram Chhapit Ram, RYA Block Secretary Sonu Sahni, Dhan Kishore, Hari Narayan, Dhirendra Sah and others.
