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| Congress Intensifies “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” in J&K | | Renaming of MGNREGA driven by political vendetta: Raman Bhalla |
Jammu, January 20 (Scoop News)- JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla today continued the Congress party’s mass outreach campaign under the banner of “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram”, launched by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), to protest against the Union Government’s decision to change the name of the historic Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) at village Tootray, Panchayat Meshian, Block RS Pura. The awareness programme was organized by Tarsem Lal to educate people about the far-reaching implications of this move and to mobiliser public opinion in defence of one of India’s most transformative welfare legislations. Prominent among those who accompanied Bhalla included Neeraj Kundan District President Jammu Rural, Amrit Bali Gen Secy JKPCC, Pawan Bhagat Secy JKPCC, Block President Yash Pal .The Congress leaders present on the occasion included Gurmeet Singh, Sanjeev Katal, S.Jasmeet Singh, Sarpanch Harbans Lal, Gazipur Kullian, Ayub Khan, Shalk Ram, Akram Khan (Panch), Krishan Lal,Thoru Ram,Tilak Raj, Capt Chimin Lal, POJK Activists Taranjeet Singh, Karamjeet Singh, Harjeet Singh, Hardeep Singh, Nishan Ali, Mukhtar Ali.
Addressing the gathering, Raman Bhalla said that MGNREGA is not merely a government scheme but a symbol of social justice, dignity of labour and inclusive development, closely associated with the name and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. He asserted that attaching Mahatma Gandhi’s name to the scheme was a conscious tribute to his ideals of rural self-reliance, empowerment of the poor and strengthening of village economies. Any attempt to dilute this legacy by changing the name, Bhalla said, reflects a narrow political mindset and ideological intolerance rather than a concern for rural welfare.Bhalla compared the original objectives of MGNREGA with the present approach of the Union Government and alleged that instead of strengthening the scheme, ensuring timely wages and expanding employment days, the government is indulging in symbolic changes driven by political vendetta. He pointed out that MGNREGA was envisioned to guarantee at least 100 days of wage employment, reduce rural distress, check migration, empower women and provide durable community assets. “Changing the name does not improve implementation; it only exposes misplaced priorities,” he remarked.
Highlighting the ground realities in Jammu and Kashmir, the JKPCC Working President said that people are grappling with mounting unemployment, rising inflation, shrinking job opportunities, delayed MGNREGA payments, reduction in workdays, agrarian distress and lack of effective governance at the grassroots level. He expressed concern that rural households in J&K, which heavily depend on MGNREGA for survival, are being pushed into deeper economic insecurity due to policy neglect and administrative apathy.Raman Bhalla also raised other burning issues confronting the people of the Union Territory, including youth unemployment, uncertainty over regular recruitment, price rise of essential commodities, weak healthcare and education infrastructure, and the absence of elected democratic institutions at the grassroots level. He said that instead of addressing these pressing problems, the government is diverting attention through cosmetic changes that neither create jobs nor provide relief to common citizens.
Reiterating the Congress party’s resolve, Bhalla assured the gathering that Congress will not leave any stone unturned to safeguard public welfare schemes and protect the constitutional rights of the people. He said the “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” will be intensified across Jammu and Kashmir to expose anti-poor policies and to build pressure for restoring the sanctity, funding and effective implementation of MGNREGA in its original spirit.Bhalla launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government, accusing it of betraying the trust of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that rampant unemployment, rising inflation, weakening of democratic institutions and dilution of people-centric welfare schemes have pushed the common man into distress. Bhalla asserted that Congress has always stood for inclusive development, social justice and constitutional values, and will continue to raise the voice of the people both on the streets and in democratic forums. He urged party workers to intensify public contact and expose the failures of the present regime.
Bhalla said that Congress workers in J&K are actively engaging with the people and highlighting the anti-people policies of the BJP government. He reiterated that Congress remains the only credible alternative capable of addressing the aspirations of youth, farmers, labourers and marginalised sections. He thanked the senior leadership for their guidance and support and pledged to intensify party activities across J&K. The programme concluded with a collective resolve to safeguard the historic MGNREGA scheme, oppose any dilution of its identity or objectives, and continue the struggle for the rights, dignity and livelihood of rural workers across Jammu and Kashmir.Bhalla appealed to people from all sections of society to unite against policies that undermine the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and weaken pro-poor legislations. He reaffirmed that the Congress party remains firmly committed to employment guarantee, social justice, federal rights of J&K and the overall well-being of its people, and will continue to raise public issues both on the streets and at appropriate democratic forums.
Neeraj Kundan strongly reiterated the Congress party’s firm stand against any attempt to change the name of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He said that MGNREGA is not merely a welfare scheme but a historic, rights-based legislation that embodies the values of Mahatma Gandhi—dignity of labour, social justice and inclusive rural development. He asserted that renaming the scheme is a politically motivated move aimed at erasing its legacy rather than improving its implementation. He emphasized that Congress will continue to resist any dilution of MGNREGA’s original spirit, demand its restoration in its original form, and stand shoulder to shoulder with rural workers, panchayats and marginalized communities to protect their right to employment and livelihood.
General Secretary JKPCC ,Amrit Bali while addressing the programme, 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. He called upon the people, especially rural workers and panchayat representatives, to unite under the banner of “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” to protect their rights. Bali emphasized that the Congress party has a glorious legacy of nation-building and safeguarding democratic rights. He expressed concern over the erosion of federalism and weakening of local governance in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that policies framed without taking the people into confidence have alienated the masses. Bali called upon Congress workers to educate the public about the party’s vision and mobilise people for a united struggle to restore dignity, development and democratic rights in the region.
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