The Congress party in Uttar Pradesh has officially kicked off a major statewide movement to defend the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). The party alleges the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is systematically trying to weaken this crucial legislation, which it calls a lifeline for the rural poor.
Campaign Launch Across the State
On Saturday, the first phase of the 'MNREGA Bachao Sangram' (Save MNREGA Struggle) campaign was launched. As part of this initiative, presidents of district and city Congress committees held coordinated press conferences all over Uttar Pradesh. The aim is to mobilize public opinion against what the party terms as the BJP's attempts to undermine the law.
In the state capital Lucknow, the campaign was flagged off at a press briefing led by Lucknow District Congress Committee President Rudra Daman Singh 'Bablu'. He was joined by key party officials including UP Congress war room in-charge Sanjay Dixit and state war room zonal head Raghavendra Upadhyay.
MNREGA: A Right, Not a Charity
Speaking at the launch, Rudra Daman Singh emphasized that MNREGA is far more than just a government scheme introduced during the previous Congress-led regime. He described it as a rights-based law that acts as a critical safety net for millions.
"This Act ensures dignified employment for Dalits, backward classes, tribals, women, and landless labourers," Singh stated. He accused the BJP government of initiating changes aimed at "diluting and eventually dismantling" the legislation since coming to power. "The Congress will not allow any anti-labour move that weakens MNREGA," he asserted.
The Core Legal Guarantee Under Threat
Sanjay Dixit elaborated on the legal framework of MNREGA, highlighting its statutory nature. He explained that the law entitles every rural household to demand wage employment. A key provision mandates that employment must be provided within 15 days of a demand being made.
"If work is not provided within this period, an unemployment allowance becomes payable. This legal guarantee is the core strength of MNREGA," Dixit said. He alleged that the BJP is attempting to convert this right-based framework into a mere discretionary welfare scheme, stripping away its guaranteed nature.
The Congress has announced that this campaign is just the beginning. Over the coming weeks, it will be expanded across every district of Uttar Pradesh to rally support and build pressure against any move to alter the fundamental nature of MNREGA.
