Senior Congress leaders have launched a sharp attack on the central government over its proposed overhaul of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, alleging the move is a deliberate attempt to dismantle the flagship rural jobs program.
Congress Alleges Scheme Dilution and Financial Burden Shift
Addressing the media in Patna on Monday, Rajendra Pal Gautam, the National Chairman of the All India Congress Committee's SC department, accused the Narendra Modi-led government of planning to "shut down" MGNREGA. He claimed this would be achieved by placing an additional 40% financial burden on state governments, which he argued are already under economic strain and incapable of bearing the cost.
Gautam traced the scheme's origins to the vision of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, who had wanted the right to work to be a fundamental right. "In 2005, our Congress-led UPA government implemented this scheme, understanding the need to establish 100 days of employment so that people get work in villages themselves and no one remains hungry," he stated. He emphasized that under the UPA, 90% of the budget expenditure was borne by the central government.
He alleged the current government has systematically weakened MGNREGA. "This government showed 125 days of work instead of 100 but snatched this scheme from panchayati raj and also took away the employment guarantee for labourers," Gautam claimed. He criticized the centralization of power in deciding work plans under the "Viksit Bharat" framework and accused the government of selling or mortgaging public establishments to capitalists.
BJP Counters: Scheme Running Effectively, Aim is Depoliticisation
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly countered the allegations. Danish Eqbal, the BJP's state media head in Bihar, asserted that MGNREGA is being implemented more effectively than ever. "MGNREGA is being implemented effectively under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi with enhanced transparency, accountability and efficiency. The scheme continues to provide employment, dignity and self-reliance to rural citizens," he said.
Eqbal defended the renaming initiative, stating it was aimed at depoliticising welfare schemes and identifying them with the nation rather than any individual or political family. "Renaming the scheme would not change its objectives or benefits," he added, characterizing the Congress's criticism as an "unnecessary controversy" driven by political bias.
State Congress Echoes Concerns Over Rural Empowerment
Supporting Gautam's stance, Rajesh Ram, the Bihar Congress president, highlighted the scheme's legacy. He said the Congress-led UPA government had ensured a 100-day employment guarantee, which strengthened rural development and economic empowerment. Ram echoed the concern that the current dispensation is weakening MGNREGA by increasing the financial load on states instead of the Centre.
The war of words in Patna underscores the deepening political rift over one of the world's largest social welfare schemes. As the debate intensifies, the focus remains on the potential impact of any structural changes on millions of rural households dependent on MGNREGA for livelihood security.
