Punjab: Congress launches ‘Save MNREGA’ campaign

Punjab: The Punjab Congress launched the “Save MGNREGA” campaign at the grain market here on Thursday, with a large number of party workers participating. Congress workers from Pathankot district also participated in the event, led by former MLA Amit Vij and District Congress Committee President Panna Lal Bhatia. Addressing the gathering, Punjab affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel said the new law has virtually eliminated MGNREGA. “MGNREGA has reduced hunger, reduced migration, and led to the construction of new roads, canals, and dams. It had become a safety net for the poor during COVID and other economic crises. Under the new law, employment is no longer a guaranteed right.
MGNREGA was a decentralized scheme, but now everything will be decided by BJP leaders in Delhi. We fear that many panchayats will receive zero funding,” he said. Senior leaders present on the occasion included PPCC Chief Raja Warring, Leader of the Opposition Pratap Bajwa, MPs Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Amar Singh, former ministers Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Pargat Singh, and Aruna Chaudhary, current MLA Barindermeet Pahra, and former MLAs Amit Vij, Joginder Pal, Harpratap Singh Ajnala, and Naresh Puri. Speaking on the occasion, former MP Jasbir Dimpa said, “Congress will not stop until the new law is withdrawn. It will meet the same fate as the three black farm laws that the Modi government finally withdrew.” Warring reminded that the old law was enacted in 2005 with widespread political consensus. He said, “The new law is completely opposite to the old schemes that helped the poor. The new law is anti-poor.”