Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot has announced a series of actions against two key decisions of the central government, setting the stage for political confrontations in Delhi and Rajasthan. The party plans to formally discuss contentious changes to the rural jobs guarantee scheme and launch a major protest against alleged ecological destruction in the Aravalli range.
Congress Working Committee to Deliberate on MNREGA 'Attack'
On Monday, Congress general secretary Sachin Pilot revealed that the party's highest decision-making body, the Working Committee, will convene in Delhi on December 27. The primary agenda is to discuss the recent amendments made by the Centre to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Pilot accused the Union government of altering the scheme's fundamental structure without consulting state governments.
The most significant change, according to the Congress leaders, is the modification of the funding pattern. The Centre's share has been reduced, shifting the ratio from 90:10 to 60:40. This dramatically increases the financial burden on state coffers and, as Pilot argued, strips away their autonomy in implementing the welfare programme.
"The revised programme disempowers local panchayats," Pilot stated, emphasizing that the power to decide projects and their locations has now been centralized with the Union government, undermining the grassroots-level planning that was a hallmark of MGNREGA.
Karnataka Leaders Decry 'Death of the Programme'
Echoing Pilot's concerns, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar provided a concrete example of the scheme's success now under threat. He highlighted that projects worth Rs 300 crore, including check dams and cow shelters implemented under MGNREGA in Kanakapura taluk, had earned the state a development award.
Shivakumar was blunt in his criticism: "However, bringing the funding ratio down to 60:40 is the death of the programme." He further pointed out that the Centre already owes the state pending labour payments, compounding the financial strain. He affirmed that the state government and the Congress party would launch widespread campaigns and convene gram panchayat-level meetings to demand a rollback of the decision to replace MGNREGA with the G RAM G scheme.
In a related development, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge is scheduled to meet stakeholders in Delhi on December 23 to discuss the implications of these funding changes.
Jaipur March Against Aravalli Deforestation and Mining
Beyond the MNREGA issue, Sachin Pilot announced a major protest concerning the ecology of northwestern India. A protest march will be held in Jaipur on December 26 to highlight the issue of unchecked deforestation and illegal mining in the Aravalli mountain range.
Pilot warned of serious consequences for Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and the National Capital Region (NCR) if the destruction continues. He demanded a judicial inquiry into alleged illegal mining by more than 10,000 entities, stating that the future of the region's ecological security is at stake.
"If the Aravalli is destroyed, the entire NCR region will be affected. Public outrage has to be answered," Pilot asserted, accusing the Centre of inaction and relying on outdated environmental assessments.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav swiftly rejected these allegations in Delhi. He clarified that the Aravalli hills are not being opened up for unchecked mining and that the government is strictly following Supreme Court directives. "Our government promotes a green Aravalli. Misinformation is being spread," Yadav stated.
The stage is now set for a dual political battle, with the Congress mobilizing its resources against policy changes it views as detrimental to both rural employment and critical environmental safeguards.
