Karnataka Congress Announces Nationwide Protest Against MGNREGA Overhaul
Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy declared on Friday that the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee will initiate a sustained statewide and national agitation. This protest targets the Central government's decision to alter both the structure and name of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
Minister Condemns Unilateral Decision
Addressing a press conference in Mandya, Cheluvarayaswamy strongly criticized the Union government's approach. He accused the Centre of attempting a complete overhaul of the scheme without proper consultation. The minister stated that state governments, elected representatives, and the public were not consulted. He also noted the absence of a detailed parliamentary debate on the matter.
Such unilateral actions strike at the very roots of federalism, Cheluvarayaswamy asserted. He warned that these decisions weaken public trust in nationally significant welfare programs.
Defending a Landmark Welfare Program
The minister passionately defended MGNREGA, describing it as a landmark welfare program introduced nearly two decades ago. He credited former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his leadership in launching the scheme. The program aimed to ensure job security for rural households and protect agricultural livelihoods. It also guaranteed minimum wages to laborers within gram panchayat limits.
Cheluvarayaswamy pointed out that earlier attempts to dilute the scheme failed due to strong public opposition. He emphasized the program's continued importance for rural workers.
'MGNREGA Bachao' Campaign and Specific Allegations
The Congress party will launch a nationwide campaign titled 'MGNREGA Bachao'. The party plans to organize phased protests across the country demanding the restoration of the scheme in its original form.
The minister leveled several specific allegations against the proposed changes:
- The new VB G RAM G scheme restricts employment opportunities by limiting permissible works to those approved by the Centre.
- This move effectively curtails the rights of states to decide on local projects.
- While the Centre claims to have increased guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days, inadequate budgetary allocations make it difficult for workers to even secure the assured 100 days of work.
- The removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme is an insult to democratic values and public sentiment.
Organizing Protests and Highlighting Disparities
Cheluvarayaswamy, who also serves as the Mandya district minister, has instructed district Congress presidents to organize various forms of protest. These will include demonstrations, padayatras, and hunger strikes.
He warned that the Union government's actions would disproportionately impact rural workers and SC/ST communities. The minister defended Manmohan Singh's economic legacy, noting a contrast in national debt figures. He stated that debt rose from about Rs 53 lakh crore during Singh's tenure to over Rs 300 lakh crore currently.
The minister further alleged financial disparities affecting Karnataka:
- The state has been denied nearly Rs 1.3 lakh crore in grants since 2019.
- Karnataka's demand for 20 crore man-days under MGNREGA was cut down to 13 crore by the Centre.
The Congress party's agitation aims to bring national attention to these issues and pressure the Central government to reconsider its changes to the vital rural employment scheme.
