"PM Modi will one day regret his actions": Mallikarjun Kharge urges people to fight against scrapping of MGNREGA

Addressing a gathering in Kalaburagi on Monday, Kharge alleged that PM Modi's recent focus on the Somnath Temple is a calculated move to garner votes in the upcoming elections in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.

"Modi government is depriving farmers and the poor of their rights. I urge people to prepare for a fight against the central government and protest against the scrapping of MGNREGA. Modi is taking away the right of gram panchayats to prepare local development plans. PM Modi will one day regret his actions. If people don't unite and teach Modi a lesson, he will destroy the country's laws and constitution...Modi remembers Somnath temple only now to win votes in upcoming elections in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu," said Kharge.

Earlier, the Congress party had announced a nationwide 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' from January 10 to February 25, opposing the VB G RAM G Act. According to Kharge, the new rules placing additional financial burden on states, among other changes, show how the Central government is trying to "strike at a law that helps the poor," and end similar schemes in the country.

Additionally, Kharge also called for a full audit of the scheme if there is doubt of misuse or the scheme not being effective, saying that the Comptroller and Auditor General's report shows how the rural employment scheme has created assets for the country too.

"They are saying that benefits to the poor should be stopped. Whatever explanation they give is not correct. Those who criticise this and say MNREGA should be scrapped have the audit agencies with them--let them conduct audits. According to the CAG report, assets have been created through this scheme," he said.

Calling the BJP anti-people, the Congress president added, "If they oppose this, it means the BJP is anti-people. Instead of helping the poor, Modi is moving towards helping corporates. They are attempting to cut funds for MNREGA. I condemn this. This fight will continue till the end. We will not leave this."

Earlier, the Parliament passed the VB-G RAM G Bill on December 18, and it received the President's assent on December 21.

The law guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, up from the existing 100 days, for adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work. The LAW has gone through a full name change from Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act.

As per Section 22 of the law, the fund-sharing pattern between the Central Government and the State Governments will be 60:40, while for the North Eastern States, Himalayan States, and Union Territories Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir it will be 90:10.

Section 6 of the law allows state governments to notify in advance a period aggregating to sixty days in a financial year, covering the peak agricultural seasons of sowing and harvesting. (ANI)