Aam Aadmi Party has given a sharp reaction to the changes made in MNREGA by the BJP government at the Centre. Punjab MLA and party’s chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that this change is a direct attack on the livelihood of poor labourers.
He said that the government has changed the name of MNREGA to ‘VB-Ji Ram-Ji Act’ and under this new law, the Center is withdrawing from 100 percent funding and is putting 40 percent expenditure on the states. This will make it difficult to ensure employment for the poor and laborers.
What did Dhaliwal tell in the press conference?
Dhaliwal told in the press conference that earlier the Center used to provide the entire amount under MNREGA, but now the funding is being distributed in the ratio of 60-40. He raised the question that when the GST of the states already goes to the Centre, then from where will the states raise this 40 percent money. He termed it an anti-labor policy and warned that the Aam Aadmi Party will continuously fight for the rights of poor laborers.
The MLA also expressed concern that under the new policy, work will not be given under MNREGA in the agricultural season. He asked how the poor laborers who do not have land and who have not sown the seeds themselves will feed their families during this period. Earlier, there was a guarantee of 100 days of work in MNREGA, due to which workers could work as per their need, but the new policy is ending this guarantee.
Dhaliwal said that the BJP government has been working in favor of the rich and ignoring the poor for the last 14 years. Citing the example of the recent floods in Punjab, he said the Center announced Rs 1,600 crore for the losses, but did not send any new funds and rural development funds were also stopped.
The AAP leader clarified that MNREGA is not a donation or help, it comes from the state’s share of GST which has now been stopped. Along with this, the new policy also affects the rights of Gram Panchayats, Block Committees and District Councils, because earlier development work in villages was done under MNREGA through these institutions.
Dhaliwal’s demand from the central government
Dhaliwal demanded from the Central Government that the ‘VB-Ji Ram-Ji Act’ should be repealed and the original MNREGA law should be implemented. He warned that if this step is not taken, the Aam Aadmi Party will launch a strong agitation against it. He assured the workers and poor of Punjab that the party will fight at every level to protect their interests and will not take away their jobs at any cost.
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