VIJAYAWADA, April 20: Over 600 workers laid a siege to the mandal development office in Jaggaiahpet on Tuesday demanding full payment of wages for the works under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

The workers alleged that they were paid only Rs 40 against Rs 100 per day announced by the government. The poor villagers from Takkellapadu reached the MDO office in Jaggaiahpet in tractors at 8 am and stormed the office till 11 am.

The villagers alleged the assistant project director, Ms Someswari, had paid lesser wages for the last few weeks and cheated them. They demanded that the mandal development officer, Mr Jayachandra should visit the office immediately. The protestors raised slogans against the erring official and demanded justice.

The MDO arrived at the office at 11 am and assured full payment as per rules. Sub-inspectors from Penuganchiprolu, Mr Prasad and Mr Venkata Narayana, reached the MDO’s office and tried to convince the agitators to call off the stir.

When the assistant project officer, Ms Someswari, visited the MDO office, the agitators protested against the under-payment and demanded action against the woman officer.

The MLA, Mr Sriram Rajagopal spoke to the officials and the villagers and tried to pacify the agitators. District Water Management Agency project director Mr Hanuma Naik visited the village and assured them of taking action against the APO.

Finally, the protesters called off the stir and left for their village.

Earlier, the Takkellapadu villagers staged a dharna in protest against the irregularities in the implementation of NREGS works.