Congress Leaders Stage Protest Against MGNREGA Overhaul at Rajasthan Assembly Session
The first day of the Budget Session in the Rajasthan Assembly witnessed significant political drama as Congress leaders staged a vehement protest against the central government's decision to overhaul the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The demonstration took place outside the legislative house, with opposition leaders accusing the Centre of attempting to weaken the crucial employment guarantee scheme that has been a cornerstone of rural livelihood security since the UPA era.
Placards and Political Statements
Led by Rajasthan Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully and state Congress president Govind Singh Dotasara, party members held placards bearing the powerful message: "Save MGNREGA, Save the Country." The protest commenced at the beginning of the session, setting a confrontational tone for the legislative proceedings that followed.
The Congress party has been actively opposing the Centre's newly introduced Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. Party leaders argue that this legislation would effectively deprive millions of rural workers of their fundamental right to employment, potentially creating widespread economic distress across Rajasthan's agricultural communities.
Multiple Issues Raised During Protest
Beyond the MGNREGA concerns, Congress leaders highlighted several additional issues during their demonstration. One prominent concern was the reported shortage of fertilizers, which has been affecting farmers across the state. This agricultural input crisis compounds the employment worries, creating what opposition leaders describe as a perfect storm of rural distress.
During his opening address, Governor Haribhau Bagde outlined the priorities of Rajasthan's Bhajan Lal government, emphasizing achievements in education, electricity supply, and fertilizer availability. The governor specifically mentioned that more than two lakh children had received free education under the Right to Education Act and that the administration had ensured adequate electricity supply along with the availability of DAP fertilizer for farmers.
Opposition Counters Government Claims
Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully strongly contested the government's assertions regarding fertilizer availability. "We did not receive fertilizer; what we received was fake," Jully declared during the session. He further questioned the basis of the government's claims, asking pointedly: "On what basis is the government calling this an achievement?"
Jully revealed that even a BJP minister had expressed doubts about the fertilizer claims, suggesting internal skepticism within the ruling party about the actual situation on the ground. This revelation added weight to the opposition's criticism of the government's agricultural policies.
Broader Social Security Concerns
The opposition leader expanded his critique beyond agricultural issues, highlighting what he described as the government's failure to deliver on social security commitments. According to Jully, pension payments for people with disabilities, elderly citizens, and widows have been stalled for the last five to six months, creating significant hardship for vulnerable populations.
Additionally, Jully accused the government of neglecting crucial infrastructure projects, specifically mentioning:
- The Yamuna Water Agreement
- The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project
He claimed that not a single rupee had been spent on these initiatives, leaving residents of Jhunjhunu, Sikar, and Churu districts waiting for essential water resources for approximately two years.
The protest and subsequent parliamentary exchanges have set the stage for what promises to be a contentious Budget Session in Rajasthan, with employment guarantees, agricultural inputs, and social welfare emerging as central points of political confrontation between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress.
