Kaul Singh Thakur Criticizes BJP Government Over MGNREGA Changes

Thakur's Strong Critique of the Central Government

Munish Sood
Mandi

On Saturday, Kaul Singh Thakur, a senior Congress leader and former minister from Himachal Pradesh, launched a fierce critique of the BJP-led central government. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of adhering to an ideology akin to that which led to Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. Speaking at a press conference in Mandi, Thakur highlighted this as the rationale behind the exclusion of Gandhi's name from the MGNREGA scheme.

“The ideology responsible for Mahatma Gandhi's death is the same one that Prime Minister Modi embodies. This is why Gandhi’s name has been omitted from our most significant rural employment initiative,” Thakur stated.

He called for the immediate reinstatement of the original Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), urging the government to discard the newly adopted “VB G-Ram-G” title and restore all previous provisions of the law.

“Gandhi was instrumental in securing our nation's freedom. The BJP's current stance towards him is widely recognized. Their politics is filled with animosity towards Mahatma Gandhi,” he asserted.

Concerns Over Panchayat Powers

Thakur also expressed concerns regarding the central government's modifications to the funding structure of the scheme. He noted that MGNREGA was previously funded at a 90:10 ratio between the Centre and the states, but this has now shifted to a 60:40 ratio in several states.

“States are now required to contribute their 40 percent share upfront, after which the Centre will release its 60 percent. This places a financial strain on the states and hampers development initiatives,” he explained.

He further claimed that the new framework would result in development priorities for panchayats being dictated from “Delhi Darbar,” which he believes undermines local democracy.

“Decisions regarding the development needs of a panchayat should be made locally. Centralizing this process will only hinder rural progress,” Thakur cautioned.

Congress Plans Hunger Strike

In response to what he described as the Centre's efforts to undermine the crucial rural employment scheme, Thakur announced that the Congress party would conduct a four-hour hunger strike on Wednesday at Gandhi Chowk in Mandi.

“The BJP government is attempting to dismantle the MGNREGA law. If the previous law is not reinstated promptly, we will escalate our protests,” he warned.

Attendance of Congress Leaders

Also present at the press conference were former minister Prakash Chaudhary, Dharampur MLA Chandrashekhar Thakur, and Champa Thakur, president of the Mandi District Congress Committee.