*Slams BJP for renaming scheme
Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Jan 19: Senior leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), including former Minister Jugal Kishore Sharma, Th Manmohan Singh, Suresh Dogra, Amrit Bali, and Ajay Salalia, District president Reasi Congress, today organised a strong public awareness programme at Surjandar, Reasi, under the “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” launched by the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
The programme was aimed at mobilising public opinion against the BJP Government’s decision to change the name of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a historic and landmark legislation enacted by the Congress party to ensure livelihood security for rural households.
Addressing the gathering, Jugal Kishore criticised the BJP for what he termed as a politically motivated and illogical move to dilute the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi by renaming MGNREGA. He said that the scheme is not merely a welfare programme but a lifeline for crores of rural poor, guaranteeing employment, dignity and economic security.
Sharma accused the BJP of systematically undermining pro-poor schemes introduced by the Congress and warned that such actions expose the anti-farmer and anti-labour mindset of the ruling party. He reiterated that Congress will not allow any attempt to weaken or distort the original spirit of MGNREGA.
Manmohan Singh said that MGNREGA is one of the most transformative legislations in independent India, which empowered rural communities and strengthened grassroots democracy. He expressed concern that instead of improving wages, increasing work days and ensuring timely payments, the BJP government is indulging in symbolic politics by changing the name of a scheme that has a proven track record.
Amrit Bali, and Suresh Dogra highlighted the growing hardships faced by rural workers due to delayed payments, reduced employment days and lack of transparency under the present regime. They said that MGNREGA was envisioned to provide economic stability to rural India, but the BJP’s policies are pushing workers into uncertainty and distress. They said renaming of MGNREGA reflects the BJP’s disregard for the constitutional values and the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
Salalia said that the district unit of the Congress party stands firmly with rural workers and poor families who depend on MGNREGA for survival. He termed the renaming of the scheme as an unnecessary and unjustified step driven by political vendetta.
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