New Delhi [India], June 16 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was trying to destroy the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. (MNREGA)
In a post on social media X, Kharge wrote that the Modi government's cutting down the limit of MNREGA expenditure was a "crime against the Constitution."
"The Modi government is trying to destroy MNREGA, the lifeline of the poor, by torturing them. The Modi government has now fixed the limit of MNREGA expenditure at 60% for the first 6 months of the year. Cutting down MNREGA, which ensures the legal right to WORK under the Constitution, is a crime against the Constitution," the post read.
Kharge further, in his post, raised questions on the Modi government's decision on MNREGA.
He questioned if the Modi government was doing this to snatch Rs 25,000 crore from the pockets of the poor.
Kharge also questioned the result of the imposition of the expenditure capacity and the result of the same on the poor dependent on the scheme.
The Congress President also questioned what the consequences would be if the limits were crossed.
"Is the Modi government doing this only because it wants to snatch about ₹ 25,000 crores from the pockets of the poor, which it has to spend separately in the next financial year every year when the demand is high at the end of the year? Since MGNREGA is a demand-driven scheme, what happens if there is a surge in demand during the first half in case of disasters or adverse weather conditions? Will not imposing such a cap hurt the poor who depend on MGNREGA for their livelihood? What happens if the limit is crossed? Will states be forced to deny employment despite demand, or will workers have to work without payment over time?" the post read.
Calling the Modi government "anti-poor", Kharge questioned why the government was hell-bent on oppressing the MNREGA workers.
"Is it not true that, according to a recent report, only 7% of families have received the promised 100 days of work? (Lib Tech, as of 21 May) Why were nearly 7 crore registered workers excluded from MNREGA on the condition of AADHAAR-based payment? Why was the MNREGA budget allocated the least in the total budget in 10 years? Why is the anti-poor Modi government hell-bent on oppressing MNREGA workers?" he further wrote in the post.
The Congress President further stated that the Congress government would vehemently oppose the axe of stopping the expenditure on MNREGA, claiming that it was a severe blow inflicted by the Modi government on the lives of the poor.
He further stated that the Congress demanded a minimum wage of Rs 400 per day fixed for MNREGA workers and employment of 150 days.
"The axe of stopping expenditure on MNREGA is a severe blow inflicted by the Modi government on the lives of every poor! The Congress party will vehemently oppose this. We are firm on our two demands - First, a minimum wage of ₹400 per day should be fixed for MNREGA workers. Second, there should be employment for at least 150 days in a year," the post further read.