Congress Slams BJP Over Replacement of MGNREGA, Holds Protest

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Sunday held a protest against the bill that replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

The protest followed President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, which replaces the existing rural employment law.

Led by JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra, dozens of Congress workers staged a demonstration, accusing the BJP-led government of attempting to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural employment scheme.

The protesters attempted to march towards Maulana Azad Road, but were stopped by police and security personnel outside the party headquarters.

Condemning the police action, Karra said the Congress would continue its protest against what he described as an attack on the livelihoods of the rural poor and democratic institutions.

He further alleged that introducing a new law in place of MGNREGA would adversely impact rural livelihoods and termed the move “undemocratic and unethical”.