‘Collapse of MGNREGA Scheme stems from deep-rooted hatred of RSS for Mahatma Gandhi’

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government’s systematic collapse of the MGNREGA Scheme and its renaming stem from the deep-rooted ‘hatred of the RSS for Mahatma Gandhi and his ideologies’,” said CPI (M) State secretary P. Shanmugam.

Leading a protest organised by the parties of the Secular Progressive Alliance here on Wednesday to condemn the recent move of the BJP government at the Centre, Mr. Shanmugam said he would not be surprised if the BJP eventually removed Mahatma Gandhi’s image from current notes.

The protesters urged the Union government to immediately withdraw the laws that replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB – G RAM G).

Mr. Shanmugam questioned the promise of 125 days of work, saying, “Will just mentioning the change in paper make it happen? When the Centre did not allocate funds even for 100 days, it certainly will not for 125 days.”

“The Union government, driven by ideological hatred, has erased Gandhi’s name and shifted 40% of the financial burden to State governments, which are already facing fiscal strain. How can States like Tamil Nadu or Kerala, denied even their legitimate dues, shoulder this additional responsibility?,” he questioned.

The MGNREGA, launched as the world’s largest rural livelihood security programme, had provided millions of rural households with vital wage employment and economic stability, he added.

The new legislation had been enacted without adequate consultation with Members of Parliament or the State governments, undermining the principles of federal cooperation and inclusive development, he noted.

He slammed AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami for supporting every move of Mr. Modi. The former Chief Minister was blinded by power and cared little for the welfare of Tamils, he added.

Highlighting the new changes in the laws which required the State governments to provide 40% of the funding, the protesters termed it yet another move to put burden on the States ruled by the opposition parties.

Members of the DMK, CPI(M), CPI, VCK, Congress and the MDMK participated in the protest, which was presided over by Madurai North MLA G. Thalapathi. Madurai South MLA M. Boominathan, and other party leaders were also present.