Excelsior Correspondent
BISHNAH (Jammu), Jan 15: In a significant move to protect the rights of rural workers and highlight the shortcomings of Central Government schemes, the Congress Party has initiated the Panchayat-level MGNREGA Bachao Sangram.
The campaign was kick-started by Neeraj Kundan, District president Jammu (Rural) of Congress, from Laswara Panchayat in the Bishnah Assembly segment. Former Minister and president DCC Jammu (Urban) and PCC Observer for Jammu (Rural) Yogesh Sawhney attended the program. This grassroots effort aims to rally local communities against policies that undermine the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), a cornerstone of rural livelihood security introduced during the Congress-led UPA Government.
The launch event drew prominent leaders, including PCC observers and former ministers – Yogesh Sawhney and Jugal Kishore Sharma, along with Nirdosh Sharma.
Addressing a gathering of local residents, farmers, and laborers, Neeraj Kundan emphasized the critical role of MNREGA in providing 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households. He lambasted the VBG Ram G Scheme, pointing out its inherent drawbacks, such as inadequate funding allocation, bureaucratic hurdles, and failure to address seasonal unemployment effectively. “The VBG Ram G Scheme is a hollow promise that dilutes the essence of MGNREGA by shifting focus away from demand-driven employment to top-down projects that often bypass community needs,” Kundan stated.
PCC observers echoed these sentiments, educating attendees on how the scheme’s implementation has led to delays in job cards, reduced workdays, and favoritism in project selection. Sawhney highlighted the scheme’s impact on vulnerable groups, including women and marginalized communities, who rely on MNREGA for financial independence. “This is not just about employment; it’s about dignity and self-reliance for our rural backbone,” Sawhney remarked.
Jugal Kishore Sharma added that the Congress Party’s Bachao Sangram will expand across Panchayats to build a statewide movement, pressuring the government for reforms.
In a boost to the party’s ranks, retired senior officer Mohinder Bhagat formally joined the Congress during the event.
The program was attended by Block president Vijay Tagotra, Kailash Saini, Keemti, Sohan Singh, Subash Saini, Rajesh Sharma, Yash Budda, Rahul Sharma, and others.
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