Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 18: Senior leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) and Members of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) today strongly criticized the BJP-led government at the Centre for its decision to change the name of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), terming it an act driven by “political vendetta rather than public interest.”
Addressing a public meeting , the senior Congress leaders said that MGNREGA is not merely a scheme but a historic, rights-based legislation enacted by the UPA Government to provide employment security and dignity to rural households. “Changing the name of MGNREGA reflects the BJP’s deep-rooted intolerance towards the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress party. This move will neither improve rural livelihoods nor address unemployment; instead, it exposes the BJP’s obsession with erasing the contributions of previous governments,” they remarked.
They further pointed out that in Jammu and Kashmir, MGNREGA has been a lifeline for lakhs of rural families, especially in far-flung and border areas, where employment opportunities are scarce. “Instead of strengthening the scheme by ensuring timely wage payments, increasing workdays, and enhancing allocations, the BJP Government is busy in symbolic politics that offer no relief to the common people,” they added..
Highlighting other burning issues confronting the people of J&K UT, the senior Congress leaders expressed grave concern over rising unemployment, inflation, and the deteriorating economic conditions. They said that educated youth in J&K are facing an uncertain future due to shrinking job opportunities, delayed recruitments, and lack of a clear employment policy. “The BJP’s tall claims of development stand exposed as unemployment and price rise continue to break the backbone of ordinary citizens,” they asserted.
Congress leaders criticized the government over the prolonged delay in restoration of full democratic rights in Jammu and Kashmir. “Even years after the downgrading of the erstwhile state, people are still waiting for the restoration of statehood. Governance through bureaucratic control has alienated the masses and weakened grassroots democracy,” he added.
They also raised issues related to rising electricity tariffs, frequent power cuts, poor road connectivity in rural and hilly areas, inadequate healthcare facilities, and the plight of daily wagers, casual labourers, and contractual employees.
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