Scrapping of MNREGA Anti-Rural, Says CM Sukhu; Statewide Protests Announced.
Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday strongly criticized the Central Government’s decision to discontinue the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), terming it “deeply anti-rural” and harmful to the livelihood security of millions of rural families across the country.
The Chief Minister, accompanied by members of his Cabinet and senior Congress leaders, staged a protest near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Ridge in Shimla. Addressing party workers and supporters, he announced that the Congress would launch statewide protests at the district and block levels to oppose what he described as an “anti-people” decision of the Centre.
CM Sukhu said MNREGA, introduced by the Congress-led UPA government under the leadership of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, had been a cornerstone of rural employment, poverty alleviation and inclusive growth. He emphasized that the scheme was designed to empower rural communities by ensuring employment through demand-driven work planned at the grassroots level.
He pointed out that under the earlier framework, works under MNREGA were identified and executed based on resolutions passed by Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas, ensuring local participation and development aligned with village needs. However, he alleged that the new mechanism had diluted the spirit of the scheme by sidelining Panchayats, centralizing planning authority and allocating funds directly from the Centre for projects notified only in selected areas.
The Chief Minister warned that Himachal Pradesh would be among the worst-affected states due to these changes. He said that earlier the Central Government bore the entire wage liability under MNREGA, while the State Government provided an additional incentive of Rs. 80 per day to workers. Under the revised arrangement, the Centre would bear only 90 percent of the wage cost, forcing the State Government to shoulder the remaining burden.
He also expressed concern over the discontinuation of salaries of officers and employees posted in Zila Parishads under MNREGA, stating that this move would adversely affect the effective implementation and monitoring of the scheme.
Reiterating the State Government’s stand, CM Sukhu asserted that MNREGA must continue in its original spirit, driven by Panchayat demands and local development priorities, to safeguard rural livelihoods and strengthen grassroots democracy.
Responding to a separate query, the Chief Minister also criticized the Central Government’s decision to reduce import duty on apples. He cautioned that the move would severely impact apple growers in Himachal Pradesh and assured that the issue would be strongly taken up with the Centre to protect the interests of orchardists.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Vinay Kumar, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, AYUSH Minister Yadvinder Goma, Congress Co-incharge Chetan Chauhan, MLAs Chander Shekhar and Anuradha Rana, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Sunil Sharma, Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, councilors, chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of various boards and corporations, along with senior Congress leaders, were present during the protest.
