In the picturesque town of Kollam, located in the south Indian state of Kerala, celebrations for the upcoming Onam festival have been overshadowed by financial hardships faced by families under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). According to local reports, the delay in wage disbursement has left many workers struggling, compelling them to borrow money to celebrate Onam.
The Union Ministry of Rural Affairs has acknowledged the issue, stating that the central government is yet to release approximately Rs. 500 crore to the state, which is hindering timely wage disbursement. This delay has been a recurring problem, causing distress among the workers and their families.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) leader of Kollam, M… Kollam: Balagopal, has expressed concern over the situation, urging the state government, represented by Minister Veena George, to expedite the process of releasing funds to ensure timely payments to the workers. The UDF is a major political alliance in Kerala.
Onam, one of the most celebrated festivals in Kerala, typically marks the homecoming of King Mahabali from the netherworld. However, this year, it seems that the spirit of the festival has been dampened by the financial struggles of the MGNREGS workers.
As the country moves towards 2026, it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds and whether timely action can be taken to alleviate the distress faced by these workers.
