Hyderabad: Labour, Employment and Mines Minister Dr. G. Vivek Venkatswamy on Sunday demanded that the BJP-led Central government withdraw its decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Accusing the Centre of targeting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, Dr. Venkatswamy alleged that the renaming attempt reflected the BJP’s discomfort with welfare schemes that primarily serve marginalised communities. He said the Congress government had launched MGNREGS to ensure rural livelihood security, particularly for SC, ST, BC, and minority populations.
Congress to launch protests from January 5
The minister announced that the Congress party would begin statewide protests on January 5 in response to the Centre’s decision. He said the agitation would be held in accordance with directions from the party leadership.
Dr. Venkatswamy also criticised the Centre for shifting 40 percent of the scheme’s funding responsibility to states through a recent legislative change. He said this shift, coupled with delays in releasing pending tax dues, had placed significant financial pressure on state governments.
In addition, he pointed out that the Centre has capped state borrowings under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act. According to him, these limits further restrict states’ ability to sustain support for MGNREGS beneficiaries under growing fiscal strain.