Bhagwant Mann Slams MGNREGA Changes, Calls It A Direct Attack On The Poor

Punjab government is not only removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name but also destroying the very soul of the scheme. Mann said the livelihood of the poor is being played with and claimed the decision is driven by political intent rather than public welfare.

Special Assembly Session Announced

The Chief Minister announced that a special session of the Punjab Assembly will be convened in the second week of January. He said the session will raise the voice of Punjabis against the Centre’s decision. The announcement came after a high-level Aam Aadmi Party meeting, which was also attended by Arvind Kejriwal. Mann made it clear that Punjab will not remain silent on this issue.

Jibe At Politics Of Renaming

During a press briefing, Mann took a dig at the Centre’s policies. He said the BJP government is busy renaming railway stations and cities. He sarcastically remarked that he fears even the country’s name might be changed one day. Mann said changing names does not bring real change. According to him, real change comes only through meaningful work on the ground.

Controversial Changes In New Law

The VB-G RAM G Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha after nearly 14 hours of debate. Under the new law, employment guarantee has been increased from 100 to 125 days. However, opposition parties say this is only a paper promise. Earlier, the Centre bore 100 percent of the cost, but now it will fund only 60 percent, leaving the remaining 40 percent to the states.

Aam Aadmi Party Attacks Centre

AAP spokesperson Neel Garg termed the bill a “well-planned deception.” He said the Modi government has misled the poor through slogans. In reality, he claimed, the employment guarantee under MGNREGA is being weakened. Garg alleged that the move reflects an anti-worker agenda and that television debates are being used to divert public attention.

Risks Under New Rules

Under the new bill, demand-based budgeting has been replaced with normative funding. This means the Centre will decide state budgets at its own discretion. A 60-day “no work period” has been introduced. Employment will be available only in areas notified by the Centre. Experts warn that these changes could effectively end the legal guarantee of work.

Protests And Political Unity Across Punjab

Labour unions have begun protests in several districts of Punjab. Effigies of the Centre were burned in Bathinda, Moga, Muktsar, and Sangrur. Farmer and labour leaders called the move an attack on the last safety net of the poor. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other chief ministers have also opposed the decision. Serious questions have now emerged over the future of MGNREGA.