To check delay in payment of wages to MGNREGS workers through postal accounts, the rural development ministry has agreed to open branch post offices at panchayat bhavans across the country.

The ministry, giving its consent to the suggestion from the department of post, has directed its officials to take appropriate measures in this regard.

“To facilitate timely payment of wages to MGNREGS workers through their postal accounts the department of post has requested this ministry for accommodating the branch post office in panchayat bhavans. You are requested to take action in this direction,” said a circular from the RD ministry to the states on November 28.

Lack of post offices/banks in rural areas has resulted in delay in timely payment of wage to workers who have had to travel several kilometers to access their accounts with post offices or banks that are located at block/district headquarters.

The accommodation provided to the branch post offices at panchata bhavans will be free of any charge and would be exclusively used for postal activities.