Central Bank Smart Card for MGNREGA payments too harassing, Phatuk villagers complain

MANGAN, 19 Aug:  The villagers of Pathuk ward under Simick-Lingzey Gram Panchayat Unit have gone public with their dismay over the manner in which the Central Bank of India is handling their MGNREGA account. It has been five month now since the villagers have received their due wages even as other MGNREGA workers in other areas [still under the Post Office regime for collection of wages] have received their payments on a regular basis. The Pathuk ward was introduced to the Smart Card (Financial Inclusion Card) for payments under MGNREGA, it is informed.
The Phatuk villagers approached the ward panchayat KB Chettri and Central Bank’s Business  Correspondent Taranath Sapkota regarding on the matter and were reportedly told by the Business Correspondent that the Central Bank of India’s Singtam and Gangtok branches, whom he had already updated about the delay, were paying no heed.
When NOW! contacted the Business Correspondent on the matter, he contended that the Central Bank of India was “harassing and refusing” to resolve the matter by telling him that he could only withdraw Rs. 50,000 at a time when around Rs. 7 lakh had already been credited in the bank by the Department long time back.
It has been informed that the villagers now plan to approach to DC on the matter.