Congress leaders, economists and activists met in Ranchi to discuss concerns over a proposed new rural employment scheme that may replace MGNREGA. Participants stressed protecting the 100-day job guarantee, timely wage payments and safeguarding the programme’s rights-based framework
Congress leader protesting against VB-G RAM G in Parliament. File pic
Congress leaders, along with civil society groups, economists and grassroots activists, organised a meeting on February 9 in Ranchi to discuss the future of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), amid concerns over its proposed replacement by a new central scheme.
The meeting focused on preserving the law’s core guarantee of providing 100 days of wage employment on demand to every rural household.
Congress leaders said that the MGNREGA has had a measurable impact in villages by generating jobs, creating durable assets such as ponds and roads, and reducing seasonal migration.
In Jharkhand, women reportedly hold 52 per cent of job cards under the scheme.
They further expressed apprehension over the Centre’s proposed Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G. Further arguing that it could dilute the legal right to work and shift decision-making away from local communities, Congress leaders slammed the VB-G RAM G.
The gathering in Ranchi also put forward several demands, including no deletion of job cards without Gram Sabha approval, timely wage payments, issuance of muster rolls at the panchayat level, guaranteed work on demand, and stronger social audits through the Kaam Mango Abhiyan.
Jharkhand’s Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Dipika Pandey Singh shared data from the Kaam Mango Abhiyan conducted between February 2 and 5 across 4,080 panchayats.
Impact of MGNREGA in Jharkhand
According to the figures, 174,245 people participated, over 1 lakh registered work demands were made, nearly 18,000 new job cards were issued, and more than 40,000 workers completed e-KYC. The state has generated over 1,017.65 lakh person-days under MGNREGA so far.
Among those who addressed the meeting were economist Jean Drèze, activist Nikhil Dey of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, Dayamani Barla, James Herenz of MNREGA Watch, and Sandeep Dixit of Rachnatmak Congress.
The leaders also highlighted concerns about preserving the rights-based character of the programme and ensuring transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, Congress in-charge K. Raju outlined organisational steps, including setting up a state-level MGNREGA Task Force, appointing district coordinators, conducting training sessions and block-level meetings, and strengthening social audit mechanisms.
The meeting concluded with a joint commitment by political leaders and civil society members to continue coordinated efforts aimed at safeguarding MGNREGA’s rights-based framework and rural livelihood protections.
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