Jupally chides banks, post offices on payment delay

Panchayat Raj Minister Jupally Krishna Rao today expressed anguish at RBI, bankers and postal officials for delay in payment to workers under employment guarantee scheme and Aasra.

During a review meeting with bank and post officials here Krishna Rao conveyed displeasure at the sluggish pace of payment to the workers. The employment guarantee scheme is to feed the poor and workers and there shall not be any sort of dereliction and negligence he said.RBI has informed that it has already released Rs 150 cr towards payment and will release Rs 150 cr funds in week days for the purpose.

The officials informed that due to cash crunch, officials seeking pan cards and non opening of accounts, removal of accounts for no operation for three months are the factors for delay. On this the minister expressed discontent and asked the post master general and officials of the banks and RBI to avoid further delay. The workers should be paid their amount without any negligence he said. Officials said Rs 350 cr out of Rs 360 crore were released and Rs 79 crore out of Rs 412 crore were paid by the banks and post offices respectively so far. (NSS)