Tribal Workers in Anakapalli Rally Against VB-G RAM-G
Along with their work tools, the Adivasi gathered in large numbers and raised slogans against VB-G RAM-G, which is the new title of the MGNREGA
Visakhapatnam: Tribal communities from Cheemalapadu and Kotlabelli panchayats in Ravikamatham mandal of Anakapalli district have demanded cancellation of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission – Gramin (VB-G RAM-G) scheme.
Along with their work tools, the Adivasi gathered in large numbers and raised slogans against VB-G RAM-G, which is the new title of the MGNREGA.
Addressing the gathering, CPM district executive committee member K. Govinda Rao alleged that the central government’s amendments to the MGNREGA Act are part of a larger plan to abolish the employment guarantee scheme. He pointed out that the amended framework turns the scheme from demand-based one to supply-based.
“This will undermine the fundamental right to work enshrined in MGNREGA,” Govinda Rao pointed out.
He maintained that the Narendra Modi government has removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the employment guarantee scheme to divert attention of the people from the betrayal of rural labourers.
The CPM leader dismissed the promise of increasing workdays from 100 to 125 as misleading, pointing out seasonal suspensions and mechanisation under the amended scheme will reduce the actual employment opportunities.
Highlighting the financial implications, Govinda Rao pointed out that the centre’s share of funding will drop from 90 to 60 per cent leaving the states to bear the additional burden of thousands of crores. He warned that Andhra Pradesh alone will face an extra annual liability of ₹4,000 crore.
Others who joined the protest included tribal leaders Padi Bennayya and Gemila Vasu, who demanded that MPs from AP must oppose the bill in Parliament.