Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has released a sum of Rs 183 crore to benefit the poor wage-seeking households under MGNREGA which has been transferred electronically through around 12 lakh transactions directly into the accounts of beneficiaries within a period of 5-6 days by the officials of Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, J&K.
The release of the wages is significant as the 21-day lockdown to combat the deadly Coronavirus has rendered daily wagers, workers and other vulnerable households of J&K without any work and livelihood.
These funds have been directly transferred into the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Public Financial Management System (PFMS) through digitally signed Fund Transfer Orders which means these people do not have to risk their lives by going out to collect the payment physically.
The efforts of the department were appreciated by labourers all over the J&K. While hailing the release of funds, a resident from Shopian said, “We are grateful to the Rural Development Department for releasing the payment directly to our accounts. As we live hand to mouth, we had no money, no savings at all. But now we are relieved of this stress by the department.”
Secretary Department of Rural Development & PR, Sheetal Nanda said, “The department has long since implemented Electronic Fund Management System as a result of which money is transferred directly to beneficiaries. There is no intermediate level of fund parking between the administrative department and beneficiaries. This makes the system quick and transparent. I hope this release from the government would be a big relief to the public in rural areas, particularly the vulnerable people who work as labourers.”
Pertinently, there are approximately 15.50 lakh active workers under MGNREGA in Jammu and Kashmir.
