Modi Govt Bulldozed MGNREGA, Says Sonia Gandhi, Vows Fight Against Black Law
In a video message, she said that by weakening MGNREGA, the Modi government had attacked the interests of crores of farmers, labourers, and landless across the country
New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday accused the Modi government of dismantling the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to replace it with a "black law" that would be resisted by lakhs of Congress workers across the country.
In a video message, Mrs Gandhi said that by weakening MGNREGA, the Modi government had attacked the interests of crores of farmers, labourers, and landless poor.
Addressing rural communities, Mrs Gandhi recalled the passage of the MGNREGA 20 years ago, when Dr Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister, saying it was approved by Parliament through consensus. Calling it a "revolutionary step", she said the scheme became a crucial source of livelihood for the deprived and the poorest sections of society.
According to Mrs Gandhi, the MGNREGA had helped curb migration in search of work, provided a legal right to employment and empowered gram panchayats. "Through MGNREGA, a concrete step was taken towards realising the dream of an India based on Mahatma Gandhi's vision of Gram Swaraj," she said.
She alleged that the government had "run a bulldozer over MGNREGA", stating that Mahatma Gandhi's name had been removed and the structure of the scheme altered arbitrarily, without deliberation, consultation or taking the Opposition into confidence.
Under the new law, Mrs Gandhi said, decisions on employment — including who gets work, how much, and where — would be taken by the Centre, far removed from ground realities.
Emphasising the Congress' role in bringing and implementing MGNREGA, she said the scheme was never party-specific but linked to national and public interest. "By weakening this law, the Modi government has attacked the interests of crores of farmers, labourers and landless poor in rural India," she said.
Reaffirming her commitment, Gandhi added, "Twenty years ago, I too fought to secure the right to employment for our poor brothers and sisters; today, I remain committed to fighting against this black law. All Congress leaders like me and lakhs of workers stand with you."
The Congress has earlier said it would take its protest against the repeal law to the grassroots.
Parliament on Thursday passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, which seeks to replace the 20-year-old MGNREGA.
