Hyderabad, Jan.8 (RAHNUMA): Making a blistering attack on Modi government’s “destructive” overhaul of MGNREGA, Minister for irrigation and Civil supplies, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday branded the move as a death sentence for rural workers.
Vowing a nationwide agitation to defend the landmark job guarantee scheme, the Minister condemned the decision to replace the Act with a new legislation undermining the importance of the rural employment guarantee scheme.
Addressing a meeting of the TPCC working committee at Gandhi Bhavan, he accused the BJP of systematically undermining the landmark legislation, which he hailed as a revolutionary brainchild of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.
Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasised the transformative impact of MGNREGA on rural India. “This law has brought revolutionary changes to villages, ensuring employment and dignity for the poor,” he said. The Minister credited Sonia Gandhi for her tireless efforts in enacting the legislation, that provided job security to millions.
He alleged that the Modi government targeted MGNREGA primarily because of its association with the Gandhi name and the Congress party’s legacy. “Wherever there’s Mahatma Gandhi’s name or a law brought by Congress, Narendra Modi seems to be bent on doing away with it,” he charged. Uttam Kumar Reddy claimed the government has effectively nullified key provisions, including the right to work and minimum wages, which previously guaranteed job card holders at least 100 days of employment at a fair wage.
The Minister highlighted specific grievances, including the removal of administrative powers from gram panchayats under the scheme. “Modi has stripped gram panchayats of their rights in NREGA, shifting the burden and diluting its essence,” he stated.
The Minister further criticised the financial restructuring, noting that the central government, which once fully funded the program, has now imposed a 40% budget cut and transferred responsibilities to state governments. “This is an unbearable burden on states and a direct assault on rural workers’ livelihoods,” he added.
Uttam Kumar Reddy called for strong opposition to these amendments, urging Congress workers to mobilise across Telangana. “We must vehemently oppose the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the act, the slashing of funds, and the erosion of job rights,” he declared.
The Minister proposed passing resolutions in all 12,000 Gram Panchayats in the state to protest the changes and foil what he termed “BJP’s conspiracies.” These resolutions, he said, should be compiled and submitted to the President of India to demand the restoration of MGNREGA in its original form.
