Tribals Protest The VB-G RAM G Bill In Anakapalle Demand Preservation Of MGNREGA
CPM Anakapalle district executive member K. Govinda Rao stated that the Act was to convert demand-based employment rights into a centralised, budget-constrained scheme: Reports
VISAKHAPATNAM: In the tribal villages of Kalyanalova and Ajayapura in Ravikamatham mandal of Anakapalle district, residents staged a dharna and campaigned door-to-door, holding tools and palm leaves in protest against the VB-G RAM G Act.
The demonstration, led by the CPM, voiced strong opposition to the bill introduced to repeal MGNREGA, which tribals said would weaken the employment guarantee secured during the UPA government. They demanded that the original law be preserved to safeguard rural livelihoods.
CPM Anakapalle district executive member K. Govinda Rao stated that the Act was to convert demand-based employment rights into a centralised, budget-constrained scheme.
He argued that the legislation reduces state autonomy, undermines democratic principles, and threatens rural workers by suspending employment guarantees for 60 days during agricultural seasons.
Govinda Rao warned that restricting the Universal Employment Guarantee to notified areas would violate the rights of the poor and create financial instability.
Highlighting the funding changes, Govinda Rao noted that the new 60:40 cost-sharing arrangement between the Centre and states would impose heavy burdens on states like AP, which previously benefited from the Centre covering 90 per cent of MGNREGA costs. He cautioned that this shift could severely impact rural employment and state finances.
In the backdrop of the Modi government’s reliance on support from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s TD and Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena, CPM leaders questioned the silence of both parties.
They argued that Chandrababu and Pawan Kalyan, positioned to influence the funding structure, should oppose the bill to protect Andhra Pradesh from additional financial strain.
The dharna saw participation from CPM leaders Pangi Chandrayya and Gemila Raju, as well as local villagers.
