Mangaluru: The Congress party has announced a series of protests across Dakshina Kannada district, demanding the restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in its original form and opposing the Union government’s move to modify the scheme without consulting state governments. The announcement was made by Legislative Council member and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) vice-president Ivan D’Souza at a press conference held here on Saturday.
D’Souza described the Centre’s decision as arbitrary and detrimental to the interests of rural workers, stating that the proposed changes would weaken a scheme that has served as a critical livelihood and social security mechanism for millions of poor households across the country.
Objection to unilateral changes
Addressing the media, Ivan D’Souza said it was inappropriate for the Centre to alter the structure of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and introduce it under a new name without holding consultations with state governments. He alleged that the decision reflected a disregard for federal principles and the concerns of states that are responsible for implementing the programme on the ground.
“The Centre has unilaterally decided to change the scheme and its funding pattern without any discussion with the states. This is unacceptable and goes against the spirit of cooperative federalism,” D’Souza said.
He announced that as part of the protest, the Congress would organise a fast-unto-death on January 21 in front of the Gandhi statue near Town Hall in Mangaluru city. The protest, he said, would highlight the party’s opposition to what it views as an attempt to dilute one of India’s most significant welfare schemes.
Opposition to 40 per cent state contribution
D’Souza alleged that along with changing the name of the NREGA scheme, the Centre has enforced a policy requiring state governments to contribute 40 per cent of the total funding. Earlier, the funding pattern placed a significantly lower financial burden on states, enabling smoother implementation of the scheme.
He said this decision was taken without any consultation with states and had already drawn opposition from around six state governments. “Imposing a 40 per cent contribution on states will severely affect their financial capacity, especially when many states are already under fiscal stress,” he said.
According to him, the revised funding structure would eventually lead to reduced employment opportunities and delayed wage payments, defeating the very purpose of the employment guarantee programme.
Impact on rural employment and beneficiaries
Highlighting the importance of NREGA, D’Souza said that earlier each gram panchayat used to receive annual funding ranging from ₹1 crore to ₹1.5 crore under the scheme. Through NREGA, employment was being generated for nearly 36 crore person-days across the country.
He pointed out that the scheme had benefited around 26 lakh Scheduled Caste families and 10 lakh Scheduled Tribe families, while also contributing to the creation of durable rural assets worth about ₹16 lakh at the local level. “This is not just an employment scheme; it is a lifeline for the rural poor,” he said.
D’Souza alleged that the Centre’s move amounted to depriving people of their legally guaranteed right to employment. He further claimed that the Union government had earlier reduced allocations for NREGA in the Budget and was now attempting to overhaul the scheme completely, placing an additional burden on the poor.
Demand for special session and padayatra
The KPCC vice-president said that the Karnataka government would convene a special session of the legislature to discuss the issue and decide on further action. He emphasised that the state government stood firmly with rural workers and would oppose any move that undermined their livelihoods.
As part of the agitation, D’Souza announced that the Congress would undertake a padayatra from Sullia to Mulki between February 9 and 12. The padayatra will focus on demanding the implementation of NREGA in its original form and opposing the Centre’s revised employment guarantee scheme.
He termed the Centre’s move an attempt to weaken and eventually dismantle NREGA, warning that it would have serious consequences for food security and rural livelihoods. “This is nothing but an effort to snatch away the right to work and the dignity of the poor,” he said.
Rebuttal to BJP allegations
Responding to allegations by BJP leaders that the Congress was opposing the move merely because the scheme no longer carried Mahatma Gandhi’s name, D’Souza rejected the claim. He clarified that the Congress’s objection was not limited to the name change but extended to the fundamental alteration of the scheme and the reduction in central funding.
“Our opposition is to the change in the nature of the scheme and the increased financial burden on states. The issue is about employment, livelihoods and social justice,” he said, reiterating the party’s strong opposition to the mandatory 40 per cent state contribution.
Compensation distributed from CM’s Relief Fund
Mangaluru: On the occasion, compensation orders amounting to ₹4.44 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund were distributed to several beneficiaries suffering from illness. Those who received assistance included Narayana Kulashekara, Nishchal Mangaluru, Abdul Khader, Ibrahim Sajipanadu, Usman Moodbidri, Aboobacker Abdul Razak Kadroli, Lawrence Lobo and Ahmed Bava Addoor.
The distribution, D’Souza said, reflected the state government’s commitment to supporting people in distress, even as it continued to oppose policies that adversely affect the poor.
Leaders present
Those present at the press conference included State Cashew Development Corporation Chairperson Mamata Gatti, former Mangaluru Mayor Shashidhar Hegde, Ashraf K, former corporator Nagendra, Appi, Bhaskar, and Congress office-bearers Satish Pengal, James, Vidya and others.
The Congress leadership asserted that the protests would continue until the Centre withdrew the proposed changes and restored NREGA in its original form, safeguarding the interests of rural workers across the country.