Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, along with cabinet colleagues and party leaders, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the historic Ridge Ground in Shimla on Friday, marking the Father of the Nation’s death anniversary.
After the homage, Congress leaders observed a two-hour fast from 11 a.m. in protest against the renaming and amendments made to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Chief Minister Sukhu stated that the BJP-led central government has not only changed the name of MGNREGA but also weakened the fundamental spirit of the scheme.
He highlighted that MGNREGA has been a crucial source of employment, especially for youth and women in rural areas; however, the recent changes have reduced job opportunities under the programme.
The Chief Minister recalled that earlier, Gram Pradhans had the authority to carry out works like road construction under MGNREGA, ensuring jobs near people’s homes. He emphasized that during the COVID-19 pandemic, this scheme played a vital role in providing maximum employment to the public.
However, he pointed out that the powers of Panchayat heads have now been curtailed. Sukhu further mentioned that for the past 20 years, MGNREGA has guaranteed employment and also provided unemployment allowance when work was not available.
The two-hour fast was organized as a protest against the systematic winding up of the scheme, he said. He added that initially, the central government bore 100 percent of the scheme’s expenditure, but it has now shifted to a 90:10 funding pattern, adversely affecting the interests of Himachal Pradesh.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment