Hyderabad, Jan.24 (RAHNUMA): The Hyderabad District Congress Committee (DCC) on Saturday launched a three-day ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram Yatra’ to protest against the alleged dilution of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) by the BJP-led Central government.
The yatra began at Charminar and proceeded to Puranapul, followed by another leg from Singareni Colony in Yakutpura to Santosh Nagar X Roads. The march will pass through five Assembly constituencies – Charminar, Yakutpura, Bahadurpura, Chandrayangutta and Malakpet – before concluding on January 26.
Senior Congress leaders, including AICC Secretary Sachin Sawant and former PCC President and ex-MP V. Hanumantha Rao participated in the rally. Addressing the gathering, Hanumantha Rao alleged that the Centre was undermining the legal Right to Work guaranteed under MGNREGA, while Sachin Sawant raised concerns over wage insecurity and reduced employment opportunities for rural labourers.
Hyderabad DCC President Syed Khalid Saifullah said centralisation of the scheme and increased financial burden on states would adversely affect the poor, women and SC/ST families who depend on MGNREGA.
Party leaders and cadres participated in large numbers, raising slogans and carrying placards demanding protection of the original framework of the rural employment scheme.
