Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief Y.S. Sharmila on Thursday (February 05, 2026) claimed that several villages had witnessed development due to MGNREGA, and discontinuing the scheme in its previous form would once again lead to heavy migration from the backward Rayalaseema region in search of work.
Ms. Sharmila’s fourth yatra demanding the continuation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) reached Punganur in Annamayya district on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, she said that MGNREGA is one of the best schemes for providing employment opportunities to the poor. It was launched from Rayalaseema region and had changed the lives of lakhs of poor, she said, adding that discontinuation will impact several families.
She alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi altered the old scheme and changed its name, which would benefit contractors only, as the works would be decided by the Centre rather than at the village level.
Ms. Sharmila ridiculed the Centre’s claims that it would provide 125 work days as against 100 under MGNREGA. Since 2014, on an average, not even 52 work days were provided, she alleged, asking how the Centre would provide 125 work days now.
Published – February 05, 2026 07:05 pm IST
