Congress Launches Nationwide Campaign to Save MGNREGA

Congress Initiates 'Save MGNREGA Struggle'

On Saturday, the Congress party unveiled a nationwide initiative called the 'Save MGNREGA Struggle.' Jairam Ramesh, the party's communications in-charge, accused the Modi administration of undermining the rural employment guarantee scheme and depriving citizens of their rights to work and livelihood. Following the introduction of a new law, the Developed India Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Act, which replaces MGNREGA, Congress has announced a three-phase movement titled 'Save MGNREGA Struggle.'

Press Conferences Across Districts

In a recent post, Ramesh stated that the Indian National Congress will hold press conferences at every District Congress Committee (DCC) office nationwide. He emphasized that today marks the launch of the 'Save MGNREGA Struggle' with these press events. Targeting the central government, the Rajya Sabha MP claimed that the Modi government has severely weakened this crucial rural employment scheme through policy decisions and administrative measures.

Commitment to Restore Rights

Ramesh further asserted that Congress is dedicated to continuing this struggle until the rights to work, livelihood, and accountability, which have been stripped away by the Modi government through the dismantling of MGNREGA, are restored. The MGNREGA scheme, implemented in 2005, guarantees 100 days of wage employment per financial year to every rural household whose adult members voluntarily offer unskilled physical labor. Congress has repeatedly claimed that delays in wage payments, reduced allocations, and the mandatory implementation of an Aadhaar-based payment system have weakened the scheme in recent years.

45-Day Campaign Across States

The party announced the commencement of the first phase of its 45-day 'Save MGNREGA Struggle' across all states, districts, blocks, and village councils. On January 3, Venugopal stated that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) has finalized future strategies regarding MGNREGA and approved a well-planned campaign named 'Save MGNREGA Struggle.' He mentioned that Phase 1 will kick off on January 8 with a preparatory meeting at the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) offices, attended by general secretaries and in-charges. District-level press conferences will be held at District Congress Committee (DCC) offices on January 10, followed by a day of fasting near the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar at district headquarters on January 11.