Senior Congress leaders strongly criticised the BJP-led Union government for what they termed as the systematic weakening of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), alleging an attempt to erase the legacy of national leaders from public policy.
Addressing a media conference along with Ministers Vivek Venkat Swamy and Azharuddin, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar extended greetings on the occasion of the Congress party’s Foundation Day and recalled the party’s pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and nation-building.
He said reforms introduced by leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and successive UPA governments had positioned India prominently on the global stage.
Mr. Prabhakar said the MGNREGS was introduced in 2004 under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi after consultations with experts to strengthen the rural economy and ensure food security by providing guaranteed employment.
However, he alleged that the Centre had reneged on its 2014 promise to expand the scheme to urban areas and instead diluted it by imposing a 60:40 funding pattern on States, thereby shifting the financial burden.
He accused the Centre of removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme and attempting to erase the legacy of leaders such as Gandhi, Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Calling for protests, he urged people to hold demonstrations in every village with portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and to pass resolutions in Gram Sabhas opposing the move.
Minister Vivek Venkat Swamy said the Congress had consistently implemented people-centric programmes and accused the Centre of withholding funds from Telangana and refusing to relax FRBM limits.
Minister Azharuddin alleged that the BJP was uncomfortable with Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy despite global recognition of his contributions.
Commenting on the opposition BRS, Mr. Vivek Venkatswamy said the party had lost relevance among the people despite its presence on social media and demanded that K.T. Rama Rao respond to questions raised by MLC K. Kavitha.