In the Butia Tola area of Karanjia Gram Panchayat, located within the Karanjia development block of Dindori district in Madhya Pradesh, laborers are struggling to secure the wages they earned four years ago. According to local residents, a check-dam was constructed on the Sunadi Nala in 2022 as part of the Amrit Sarovar scheme, with an estimated cost of approximately 29 lakh rupees. While numerous workers contributed their labor to this project, they have not received their due payments to date. Furthermore, the residents point out that the construction of the check-dam itself remains incomplete, leaving both the project and the laborers' livelihoods in limbo.
Years of Empty Promises and Growing Despair
According to the villagers, they have repeatedly approached the then-sub-engineer of the RES department, Vijendra Sarivan, demanding the release of their wages. However, each attempt resulted in nothing more than empty assurances. Reports indicate that around 45 workers are still owed approximately 2 lakh rupees in collective wages. The situation has taken a tragic turn, as several of the laborers who worked on the site have passed away during this four-year wait. Their grieving families continue to struggle and navigate various government offices in hopes of receiving the money their deceased kin earned, yet justice remains elusive.
Administrative Intervention and Official Response
Distressed by the ongoing delay, the affected laborers and their families have escalated their plea to the state administration, demanding immediate payment and the completion of the long-abandoned check-dam construction. Dindori Collector Anju Pawan Bhadauria has taken cognizance of the matter and promised appropriate action.
Commenting on the issue, Collector Anju Pawan Bhadauria stated that allegations have been raised by villagers regarding delays in payment. She acknowledged that the complaint has now been brought to her attention. She mentioned that during the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan, many pending water-related project bills were processed and submitted by the Janpad CEO. She emphasized that if the workers have still not received their money despite these efforts, it is a serious concern. The Collector has directed the District Panchayat CEO to initiate an inquiry to determine the reasons why the laborers have not been paid despite the completion of the work on the Amrit Sarovar project.
