Mangaluru: Congress workers under the Mangaluru South Assembly Constituency Congress Committee held a padayatra in the city on Thursday as part of the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram campaign, protesting against the Central government’s proposed VB-G Ram-G scheme and alleging that it weakens the existing rural employment framework.
The protest march began from the grounds near Shanthinilaya Hall at Balmatta and proceeded through key city stretches before concluding at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in front of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) office. Senior party leaders and workers gathered at the venue and addressed the protesters, outlining their objections to the proposed changes.
Leaders allege lack of consultation
Addressing the gathering, MLC Ivan D’Souza alleged that the Central government moved ahead with the VB-G Ram-G scheme without adequate discussion or consultation with stakeholders.
He criticised the manner in which the scheme was introduced and said it reflected disregard for established democratic processes. He further claimed that the move showed a lack of respect towards Mahatma Gandhi and constitutional values. D’Souza said the Congress would continue protests and awareness campaigns until the proposal is reviewed and discussed in detail.
According to party leaders, the padayatra was organised to draw public attention to what they described as the dilution of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households.
MGNREGA described as rural lifeline
Senior Congress leader Padmaraj R Poojary said MGNREGA, introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had played a significant role in strengthening rural livelihoods and infrastructure.
He said the programme contributed to the development of villages by supporting works such as road construction, lake and well rejuvenation, and sanitation facilities. He added that the scheme had received international recognition and appreciation for its impact on poverty reduction and employment generation.
Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of “Rama Rajya”, Poojary said MGNREGA reflected welfare-oriented governance. He alleged that replacing or restructuring the scheme under a new format would centralise powers and weaken grassroots implementation.
Name change and restructuring opposed
Congress city district leaders at the event argued that changing the scheme’s name and structure would adversely affect poor families, farmers and women who depend on rural employment guarantees.
Speakers claimed that MGNREGA had enabled comprehensive village-level asset creation and financial security for vulnerable households. They expressed concern that administrative and funding changes under a new scheme framework could disrupt ongoing works and delay wage payments.
The leaders urged the Central government to hold wider consultations with state governments, local bodies and worker groups before implementing any major changes to rural employment programmes.
Wide participation by party leaders
The padayatra saw participation from several senior Congress functionaries and local leaders. Among those present were Dakshina Kannada district Congress president Harish Kumar, corporation and board heads Shalet Pinto and Vishwas Das, and former MLA J R Lobo.
Former mayors Shashidhar Hegde and Bhaskar K also joined the protest, along with block-level leaders and office-bearers including Suresh Ballal, Abdul Saleem, Prakash Salyan, Dennis D’Silva, Suhan Alva, Lesh Mulur, Abdul Ravoof, Vinay Raj, Praveen Chandra Alva, Ashraf Bajal, T K Sudheer, Manoraj, Chethan Bengre, Chandrakala Jogi, Roopa Chethan, Asif Bengre, Samsuddin Kudroli, Prithviraj, Honnaiah, Melvin Castelino, Nazir Bajal and Shanthala Gatti, among others.
Party workers carried placards and raised slogans during the march, calling for the protection and continuation of MGNREGA in its existing form.
Conclusion
The protest in Mangaluru forms part of a broader political campaign around rural employment policy and scheme restructuring. With Congress leaders signalling continued agitation on the issue, further demonstrations and representations to authorities are expected in the coming days.