Save MGNREGA Movement launched by Congress across Assam

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee on Friday launched the nationwide “Save MGNREGA Movement” in the state, opposing the Modi-led NDA government’s move to amend the MGNREGA Act and introduce a new law under the name “VB-G RAM G”.

As part of the first phase of the agitation, press conferences were held simultaneously at district headquarters across Assam, including Kamrup Metropolitan, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideu, Hailakandi, Darrang and Baksa. District Congress Committee presidents and senior party leaders addressed the media.

In Guwahati, senior Pradesh Congress spokespersons Kushal Sharma, Rupak Das and Anita Devi addressed the press at the Manavendra Sharma Complex on behalf of Guwahati Metropolitan District Congress Committee president Swapan Das. In Tezpur, APCC Media and Communication Department chairman Bedabrat Bora participated in the press meet along with Sonitpur DCC president Kartik Kurmi.

Congress leaders alleged that the proposed law would weaken workers’ rights by converting labourers into “beneficiaries” instead of ensuring employment-based empowerment, and accused the Centre of diluting the spirit of MGNREGA by removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the Act.

The party announced that the agitation would continue nationwide till October 2. In Assam, the Congress has scheduled dharnas at development block offices on January 12, panchayat-level awareness campaigns on January 17, and a statewide day-long dharna on January 30, Martyrs’ Day, demanding reinstatement of the MGNREGA Act and withdrawal of the proposed law.