Strongly opposing the BJP government’s move to alter the original framework of MGNREGA, the Congress party registered strong objections and adopted an aggressive stance in protest. In this context, the Congress launched the nationwide “Save MGNREGA Struggle” campaign from the Chandigarh-based headquarters of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee.
Addressing a press conference on the occasion, Haryana in-charge BK Hariprasad said that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), implemented in 2005 by the UPA government, is a historic legislation that guarantees every rural household a legal right to at least 100 days of employment per year.
He said that the Act is not merely a means to provide employment, but a lifeline for the poor and a strong pillar of the rural economy. He added that, as part of the protest and in accordance with the directions of the party high command, agitations would be carried out at every level.
Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Rao Narendra Singh, in his address, said that unfortunately the present government has been making continuous attempts over the past five to six years to weaken MGNREGA. To ensure rural employment and protect the core objective of the scheme, the Congress party has launched the “Save MGNREGA Campaign” at the national level. Through this campaign, the public will be made aware of their rights.
He further stated that MGNREGA is not just a source of employment, but also a powerful tool to strengthen the rural economy and improve the living standards of the poor and deprived sections. He informed that under the “Save MGNREGA Struggle,” preparatory meetings would be held at the PCC level; district-level press conferences would be organised; one-day fasts and symbolic protests would be conducted; people would be mobilised at the Panchayat level; and peaceful sit-ins would be held at the ward level.
This would be followed by district-level MGNREGA protection protests, a state-level Gherao of the Vidhan Sabha, and regional rallies to raise awareness. He said that through this campaign, the Congress would strive to reach every person affected by attempts to change the structure of MGNREGA.
Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that due to cuts in funding, delays in wage payments, a reduction in the number of workdays, and arbitrary restrictions, the poor, Dalits, tribals, women, and other marginalised sections have been the worst affected. Citing various government reports, he said that more than 60 percent of MGNREGA wage payments are delayed, warning that severe consequences could emerge in the coming times.
Senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said that the BJP government is constantly harassing the common people under one pretext or another. By changing the original structure of MGNREGA, he alleged, corrupt elements are attempting to snatch livelihoods from rural people, the poor, the deprived, women, and the needy.
He said that the Congress had carefully designed the MGNREGA scheme to strengthen the rural economy and provide employment to women close to their homes so that they would not have to migrate in search of work. He asserted that the Congress would never allow the BJP government’s intentions to succeed and is prepared to launch even the largest movements to protect MGNREGA.
On this occasion, MP Deepender Singh Hooda said that dismantling the MGNREGA scheme is a living example of the BJP’s authoritarianism. He said the issue is not merely about changing the name, but about altering the structure of the scheme to deprive the needy of their rights and entitlements—an attempt that will fail. The Congress party, he said, will never allow the BJP’s efforts to succeed.
Through the media, leaders appealed to the public to actively participate in the campaign in their respective areas and carry forward the struggle to secure the rightful entitlements of the poor under MGNREGA. During the programme, a detailed discussion was also held on the upcoming municipal corporation elections in three districts of Haryana.
Speaking on this issue, the Pradesh Congress President said that the Congress has geared up for the municipal elections and will approach the people with its constructive policies, expressing full confidence that the party will emerge victorious in these local body polls.