Mysuru Minister Slams Centre for Removing Gandhi's Name from MGNREGA
District in-charge minister HC Mahadevappa launched a sharp critique against the Union government on Monday. He accused it of curtailing people's fundamental rights by removing Mahatma Gandhi's name from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Right to Work Under Threat
Mahadevappa spoke at the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram preparation meeting held at the Indira Gandhi Congress Bhavan in Mysuru. He stressed that employment must be guaranteed to all citizens seeking work. The minister recalled that national leader BR Ambedkar had enshrined the right to work in the Constitution. He alleged the present Union government is actively undermining this right, along with the right to life.
A Revolutionary Initiative
The minister took a trip down memory lane. He remembered the launch of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in 2005 under the UPA government. Mahadevappa described it as a revolutionary initiative. Then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh introduced it to ensure employment for rural populations. The scheme specifically targeted Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), women, the underprivileged, small farmers, and minorities.
Allegations of Dismantling the Act
Mahadevappa made serious allegations. He claimed the BJP-led Union government has effectively dismantled the act. He said it is now implementing laws unilaterally, without proper consultation. Communities that depend on MGNREGA are facing severe hardship. This includes SCs, STs, backward classes, and small and marginal farmers.
The numbers are staggering. Nearly 120 million people across India depend on this scheme. Women make up 53% of the beneficiaries. Scheduled Castes account for 17%, and Scheduled Tribes for 11%.
Funding and Process Changes
The minister highlighted a critical funding shift. Earlier, the Union government bore the entire cost of the scheme. Now, it funds only 60%, forcing state governments to cover the remaining 40%. This places a significant financial burden on states.
Mahadevappa also pointed to changes in governance. Following amendments to the 73rd and 74th Articles of the Constitution, the gram sabha was empowered to take final decisions. Previously, communications sent to the Prime Minister about the scheme were routed back to panchayats for approval. The minister alleged this process is now bypassed. He claimed the Union government directly selects panchayats of its choice, ignoring established democratic procedures.
The minister's remarks underscore a growing political clash over a key welfare program. The future of millions of rural workers hangs in the balance.
