Increased ex-gratia for kin of deceased MGNREGA workers; late but essential 

It has often been alleged that Kerala is not getting many of the benefits announced by the central government due to the lack of timely implementation of the schemes. The true status of this is often unknown as the centre says that assistance has been provided and Kerala says that it has not received any. Many benefits are not available to the people due to the negligence of the officials implementing the schemes. The real reason for the delay and non-availability of benefits is often drowned in the politically motivated allegations targeted at each other. Although the Centre had decided two years ago to provide two lakhs as financial assistance to the families of NREGA workers in case of death while on duty and had announced that the Central Government itself would provide this, it was not implemented in Kerala.

The financial assistance provided in the state of Kerala so far under the 'Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana' was Rs 75,000. We had published a news article written by Kerala Kaumudi reporter K.S. Aravind on October 31 last year, exposing the negligence of the state government in this regard. The reporter had pointed out that the reason why Kerala has not provided this compensation despite the central government having sanctioned Rs 2 lakh is the negligence shown by the officials in clearing the file in this regard. The speed of clearing the file to implement the central directive increased only after this. Now the LSG department has taken a decision in this regard and has issued an order to grant assistance with retrospective effect from June 1, 2022.

The delay in officials implementing this, when the state will receive financial assistance from the central fund without any obligation, can be cited as another example of 'government affairs will happen according to procedure'. Usually, the reason mentioned for not implementing something is the economic crisis. What should be understood from such slow developments is that even things that are not like that are not happening here on time. It is good that it has been implemented now, even though it is late. News of people going for the NREGA scheme dying due to snake bites, collapses, etc. comes up from time to time. An average of 10 NREGA workers die at work every month in the state of Kerala. Since the new order has a retrospective effect from June 2022, more than 300 people will get increased benefits. Families who had previously received compensation of 75,000 will get an additional Rs 1,25,000.

The Centre has made a provision that compensation money should be transferred to the family of a person who dies at work within five days. It should be understood from past experiences that if such a provision is not made, officials will not pay the money even after five years. Government systems consisting of officials do not prioritize how to get things done. Rather, they first think about how to prevent it. If they find a reason that seems reasonable to some and write it in the file, then no matter who tries, that file will not move. Big changes will happen if the officials are ready to change this attitude. The Center has also made a provision to provide one lakh rupees as assistance in case of accidental death or permanent disability of the child who accompanies the worker to the workplace.