Telangana Assembly passes resolution against changing MGNREGA
Telangana: Amid protests from BJP members, the Telangana Assembly on Friday passed a resolution opposing the central government’s move to replace the MGNREGA with the VB G RAM G Act and demanding that the old law be continued. Introducing the resolution, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the new law adversely impacts the rights of the poor and women workers, and undermines the central government’s commitment by imposing a greater financial burden on the states.
He also demanded that the funding pattern under MGNREGA be continued.
He alleged that removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the title of the new law undermines its mandate.
Claiming that the 60-day agricultural season limit would be unfair to the landless poor, he said employment should be available year-round.
Although 266 types of work can be done under MGNREGA, the new law removes some works, such as land development, which harms small and marginal farmers, Dalits, and tribals, he said, and demanded that the existing list of works be continued.
The CM alleged that the VB G RAM G Act is anti-women because it reduces the number of working days, and said that it causes hardship to poor women.
The resolution said, “Considering all these issues and keeping in mind the objectives of MGNREGA, this House resolves to continue the NREGA Act as it is so that the expectations of the workers’ families can be met.”
