Kerala Kaumudi Impact: Agastya tribals receive long-stalled employment wages

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Agsatya forest tribals were long denied wages for not submitting digital attendance records albeit working under the employment guarantee scheme. And now, justice happened at last as Rs 1.10 lakh rupees along with interest for lost wages of 309 working days in 2022-2023 have reached the accounts of 20 families in the Agastya forest area.

The money was levied from the employment guarantee officers who failed to solve the problem of poor internet connectivity in the tribal regions in the forest. Kerala Kaumudi had reported about the predicament of workers in Cherumankal, Erumbiad, Ayiramkal, Amala, Pattanipara, Amot and Kamalakam settlements of Kuttichal Gram Panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram, who suffered due to loss of wages.

After the newspaper report was discussed, the employment ombudsman sought a report, held a hearing and found the lapse. The amount was ordered to be collected from the officials but the panchayat and the concerned authorities overturned the order to protect the officials. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission filed the case voluntarily. The Commission's investigation also revealed official failure. The commission ordered immediate payment of wages along with a penalty. After that, action was taken to collect money from the employees.

Rs 48,348 was levied from the Accredited Engineer and Overseer of the Employment Guarantee Department of Kuttichal Gram Panchayat. 13,365 rupees was levied from the assistant. It has been alleged that the District Technical Officer of the Employment Mission who was also responsible for the delay has been exempted from the proceedings.

On July 10 2023, Kerala Kaumudi brought out this issue of tribals. In the next six months, Kaumudi gave five news stories related to this predicament and it has now offered respite to 20 struggling tribal families.