The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Sun day staged a protest at Old Goa against the BJP-led Central government, alleg ing attempts to dismantle the Mahatma Gandhi Na tional Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The protest was led by AICC Goa in-charge Man ikrao Thakare and AICC Secretary Dr Anjali Nim balkar, with the participa tion of several local Con gress leaders and party workers. Terming MGNRE GA a crucial lifeline for the poor, the Congress said it would intensify its agita tion and take the issue to every village and district to safeguard people’s right to guaranteed employment. Addressing the gathering, AICC Secretary Dr Anjali Nimbalkar said the protest was against what she de scribed as the government’s attempt to remove the name of Mahatma Gandhi from MGNREGA. “We strongly condemn this move. The BJP government is chang ing long-standing schemes, and now they have come after Mahatma Gandhi. The UPA government provided employment opportunities, especially to women and tribal communities, through MGNREGA. The BJP is now trying to snatch away those opportunities,” she said. She added that protests were being held across both North and South Goa and reiterated the demand that all registered MGNRE GA beneficiaries must be provided at least 100 days of employment. AICC Goa in-charge Man ikrao Thakare said MGNRE GA had guaranteed the right to employment for the poor and the jobless. “There was a provision to compensate workers if employment was not provided. Now, the BJP has brought in measures to weaken or remove MGNRE GA. Around five to six crore families benefited from this scheme, but this government has snatched away the rights of the poor,” he alleged. GPCC President Amit Pat kar said the Congress was observing a hunger strike across the State in protest against the decision of the BJP-led Centre. “Today, the protest is being held at the district level. From tomor row, it will be taken to the gram panchayat, block and booth levels,” he said. The Congress reiterated that it would continue its agitation until the Centre withdrew what it termed anti-poor measures af fecting MGNREGA benefi ciaries. South Goa District Congress Committee in coordination with Margao Congress Block Committee held a similar protest at Lohia Maidan in Margao.
Congress protests in Goa against alleged dilution of MGNREGA
