Development economist Jean Drèze, along with hundreds of protesting MGNREGA workers, observed “Black Diwali” at a village in Muzaffarpur district on Thursday. For over a fortnight, the workers have been organising a dharna demanding payment of dues.
Professor Drèze reached Mahant Manihari Panchayat Bhawan under the Kurhani block and sat on the day-long dharna.
“Nearly 3,000 workers from six blocks have not been paid their wages for the past six months and the total outstanding comes to Rs. 1 crore,” said Chinmay Kumar of Samaj Parivartan Shakti Sanghtan, a non-governmental organisation.
The workers were either denied their daily wages or paid Rs. 60 against the prescribed Rs. 162, Mr. Kumar said. “As the officials have not done anything, we invited Professor Drèze to investigate the issue himself and do the needful,” said a worker.
