CPI(M) Kollam district committee will organise protest and defence assemblies across the district on January 5 to protect the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The committee condemned the Central government’s recent actions as “anti-people,” alleging that the State-sponsored dismantling of the scheme threatens the very survival of the poor.
“The scheme, which was originally fully funded by the Central government, has undergone a significant shift to a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and the State. Under the new regulations, the Centre will also set expenditure limits; any spending by the State exceeding these caps must be covered entirely by the State’s own treasury. The upcoming protest specifically demands the immediate clearance of ₹527.69 crore in MGNREGS arrears currently owed to Kerala by the Central government,” said the State leadership.
They added that Left-wing representatives in Local Self-Government institutions will introduce resolutions in their upcoming meetings against the Centre’s moves to undermine MGNREGS.
Published – December 28, 2025 07:37 pm IST
