Shillong, Dec 18: The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Thursday criticised the passing of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, which will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
According to Meghalaya Seva Dal Congress, Convener, Banphira Basaiawmoit, the MGNREGA which was brought during the Congress regime, brought the promise of social justice to the village people and gave the poorest rural families a legal right to work.
According to Basaiawmoit, when the Congress introduced the MGNREGA, 100 percent funding was from the centre, which was a blessing to states like Meghalaya.
He said that as per the new Act, the funding pattern will change to 90 percent from the centre and10 percent from the state.
He pointed to the news report of the Meghalaya government grappling with financial challenges related to the implementation of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
According to Basaiawmoit, the SSA scheme which is ending in March 2026, the state government is already worried how to fund the salaries of the 15000 odd teachers.
“The job card holders (under MGNREGA) if the funding pattern changes as per the new act, and if 10 percent is to be given by the state government. The question is will it have the capacity to fulfill the needs of those job card holders,” the Congress asked.
According to him, the Congress introduced the MGNREGA so that people in the villages get guaranteed jobs and there is no rural to urban migration.
“The act was meant for people to let them earn in the places where they stay as well as create assets. But the danger the Congress sees is that even in the last few months many people are without jobs and have to come to the city for livelihood,” Basaiawmoit added.
He said that the MGNREGA was a demand based Act, but now it has changed and jobs will be guaranteed based on supply only.
“If the government has funds, employment will be there and if there is no money, there will be no jobs,” he added.
He urged all the parties in the state to oppose the new Act of the BJP. Basaiawmoit also said that as per the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, it now guarantees 125 days of work per year compared to the earlier 100 days.
“But it is only on paper. But looking at the funding pattern it is difficult to achieve the target of 125 days,” Basaiawmoit added.
