NGOs to hold public hearing on implementation of CRAWL on Dec 10

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 7, 2021

Meghalaya Domestic Workers Movement, Meghalaya & Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association, Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) and Social Accountability Forum for Action and Research (SAFAR) will organise a public hearing on the implementation of ex gratia relief of Rs. 2100 and Rs. 5000 in the form of income support for unorganized sector workers adversely affected by the pandemic (under the scheme called Chief Minister’s Relief Against Wage Loss (CRAWL) and for workers registered with Meghalaya Building And Other Construction Workers Board at Cathedral Hall, Laitumkhrah on December 10.  

An eminent panel consisting of Justice Madan J Lokur Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of India, Rudi Warjri Retired Indian Ambassador and Diplomat, Meena Kharkongor Ex Chairperson of Meghalaya Commission for Child Rights, Aitinora Myrthong, Social Development Consultant, Meghalaya Society for Social Audit and Transparency. Nikhil Dey, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan and Rev. Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh, Civil Society Member will preside over the Public Hearing.
 
In a statement issued on Monday, TUR leader Angela Rangad said the public hearing is being organised in an effort to collaboratively address the failures in ensuring the disbursement of this financial assistance. Multiple complaints have been filed by individual complainants and our organizations to the State Government seeking redressal of our grievances. 

However problems persist. Most of the aggrieved persons are daily wage earners striving [MOU1] for their survival during these difficult pandemic lockdowns, and are scattered across the state and are unable to approach the Government individually, she said.
 
It is with this intention that we are organizing a public hearing in the city to provide a platform for workers to share their grievances in the public domain. The hearing will begin with a presentation on the process thus far and the key findings that have emerged by representatives of organizations involved in this process. Oral testimonies by affected persons will be heard through the course of the hearing.
 
Labour Department and the Office of the Chief Secretary have been specially invited to participate in the hearing so that they too have an opportunity to share relevant information and respond to the grievances of the people and the findings raised. It is hoped that these govt. functionaries will take their democratic responsibilities seriously and make an all out effort to attend, she informed.