Congress leaders oppose changes to MGNREGA

The Union government is striking at the very foundation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and playing with the lives of the poor, alleged Congress Working Committee member Gidugu Rudra Raju.

Speaking at a programme organised by the A.P. Congress Committee at the Andhra Ratna Bhavan in Vijayawada on Monday (December 29), Mr. Rudra Raju demanded that MGNREGA be continued in its original form without any changes. Leaders from CPI(M) and other parties also attended the programme.

He said the government is legally bound to provide employment under the MGNREGA, a rights and demand-driven programme. However, the BJP government has undermined this right and converted it into a matter of governmental charity, he alleged.

Previously, people could seek work in any rural area, but under the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB—G RAM G) framework, employment is restricted to panchayats notified by the Centre.

He pointed out that earlier, the MGNREGA wages were revised in line with rising prices, but now there is no fixed wage rate, and wages are paid only as decided by the Centre for each Panchayat. He criticised the move as detrimental to workers’ interests.

Mr. Rudra Raju added that earlier, wages were paid entirely by the Centre, with compensation for delays. Now, the Centre bears only 60% of the wage cost, leaving the remaining 40% to the States.

As a result of these changes, unemployment is increasing, migration from rural to urban areas is rising, and local livelihoods are being adversely affected, the leaders said.

Former Agriculture Minister Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao, CPI (M) leader Ch. Babu Rao, Congress leaders Raghuveera Reddy and Kolanukonda Sivaji were present.