Congress leaders are against changes in MGNREGA

The Union government is hitting the foundations 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 program organized by the AP 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 of 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 turned it into a matter of government charity, he alleged.

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

He pointed out that earlier 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 Center for each Panchayat. He criticized the measure as harmful to the interests of workers.

Mr Rudra Raju added that earlier wages were fully paid by the Center with compensation for delays. Now the Center bears only 60% of the labor costs, while the remaining 40% is left to the States.

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

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