Wokha DCC joins protest against MGNREGA changes

Morung Express News
Wokha | January 10

The Wokha District Congress Committee (DCC) on Saturday joined the nationwide agitation launched by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) against the “Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM-G) Act.”

Addressing a press conference on ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ held at the Wokha District Congress Office, Wokha  DCC alleged that the proposed Act would dilute the legal rights guaranteed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Addressing the press conference along with party members, PAC member of the NPCC and PCC member from the 40 Bhandari Assembly Constituency, Chenithung Humtsoe, said that MGNREGA currently provides a legal guarantee of 100 days of employment per year in every village with assured minimum wages.

However, he claimed that under the proposed changes, the legal guarantee of work would be removed, employment would be left to government discretion, and work opportunities would be limited to selected villages.

Humtsoe further alleged that the Act would weaken the Panchayati Raj system, with project planning and decision-making shifted from Gram Panchayats to the central government and contractors. He also expressed concern over the proposed removal of MGNREGA support staff, stating that it would adversely impact the implementation and monitoring of the scheme.

Raising concerns over state finances, Humtsoe said states would be required to bear 40 per cent of the wage costs, which could lead to reduced employment opportunities, especially in financially constrained states.

He added that the Congress party is demanding the restoration of MGNREGA in its original form, reinstatement of the legal right to work, fixation of an all-India minimum wage of Rs 400 per day, and the introduction of stronger accountability measures to ensure transparency and effective implementation of the scheme.