Karra Slams VB-G RAM G Act, Demands Restoration of MGNREGA and Full Statehood for J&K

Jammu, January 29 :  In a fervent address to a large gathering organized by newly appointed District President Jammu Rural, Neeraj Kundan and Romal Singh Block president Dansal (Nagrota Assembly Constituency ) to protest the recent changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme now replaced by the VB-G RAM G framework & to demand the restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, Tariq Hameed Karra, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), strongly condemned divisive forces and highlighted the threats to the region’s unity, heritage, and development.

Karra began by sharply criticizing the shortcomings of the new bill replacing MGNREGA. “The original MGNREGA was a demand-driven programme, a legal right ensuring that every rural household demanding work would receive it without budgetary caps. But under the new framework, employment is now tied to fixed budget allocations decided by the Centre, shifting from demand-driven to supply-driven and allocation-based. Gram Sabhas, which played a central role in planning and identifying works, have been sidelined. For a state like Jammu and Kashmir, which relies 100% on central support in all major schemes due to its special circumstances and needs, how can we afford these new rules? This change is against the people of this country, particularly in regions like ours that depend heavily on such guarantees for livelihood security and rural development.”

He further stated, “The government can rename or delete Gandhi from schemes, but Gandhi is in the hearts and minds of Indians. Gandhian thought is and will always be alive,” reaffirming the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi in India’s social fabric.

“The issue of a separate state being demanded by some BJP leaders is not merely a political statement or an isolated political debate. It goes far beyond that and strikes at the emotional, social, and constitutional fabric of our region. They call it ‘separation,’ ‘bifurcation.’ But let me tell you the truth: this is not a demand just for politics. This is the voice of anti-social elements, the enemies of Jammu and Kashmir itself. They forget Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of India, placed here by none other than Maharaja Hari Singh. Today, the very enemies of the Maharaja are raising these slogans. They are enemies of Dogra Sanskriti. They are enemies of the Maharaja. And we will not let them tear apart what he stitched together with blood and dignity,” said Karra.

On the demand for statehood, Karra announced, “We have launched ‘Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq’ ‘Ghar Ghar Dastak Har Ghar Dastak’to fight for the dignity and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We will continue this struggle relentlessly until full statehood is restored, ensuring our people regain their constitutional rights and self-governance.”

He further lamented the recent closure of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), describing it as a shameful episode in India’s history. “How unfortunate it is, how shameful that for the first time in the history of independent India, a university was closed and people celebrated. SMVDU, our pride, our future, was shut down, and instead of mourning, some danced. What kind of twisted mind rejoices when knowledge is locked? This is not protest. This is poison. We must protect our institutions, not burn them,” Karra emphasized.

Addressing the growing security concerns across the entire Jammu region, Karra urged unity and vigilance to safeguard the peace and progress of the area.

Karra called upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir to stand united against attempts to erode their rights, heritage, and development initiatives, pledging the Congress party’s unwavering support for the restoration of statehood and the protection of flagship schemes like MGNREGA

PCC Working President Shri Raman Bhalla said that “MGNREGA” enacted by the Dr. Manmohan Singh-led Congress government in 2005, has, for two decades, been a lifeline for crores of rural families. Since 2006, MGNREGA has generated more than 180 crore person-days of work. Its revocation, renaming and its subsequent replacement by the VB GRAM G Act is a direct attack on every poor worker in the country and on the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi – the inspiration behind the revolutionary scheme. Gandhiji represented the dignity of labour, local self-rule, and the moral responsibility of the state. Removing his name from the landmark scheme is a calculated attempt to erase his legacy and his vision for India.

He further said that Under MGNREGA, the worker’s family had a legal guarantee of a minimum of 100 days of work per year. MGNREGA was available in every village in India. The new law takes away that right. Workers no longer have any legal guarantee to work. They work when the Modi government decides. Work will only be provided in villages chosen by the Modi government.

Ch. Lal Singh, Ex-MP said that MGNREGA facilitated Gram Panchayats to provide work on projects for the development of workers’ Panchayats. They were helped by NREGA mates & Rozgar Sahayaks too. However, under the VB GRAM G, where and what workers work on will be decided by the Modi government and its favourite contractors. Also, there is no provision for NREGA mates & Rozgar Sahayaks. He said that that the new law has put State finances under attack. Earlier, the union government paid 90% of your wages under MGNREGA. The state government bore only 10% of the share in funding and, hence, would provide work without any difficulties.

The new law mandates state governments to pay 40% of the wages. To save costs, they may not provide work at all, or they might be forced to slash the funding on crucial sectors such as education and health.

Shri Ved Mahajan and Hari Singh Chib asked the congress leaders and workers of Jammu Rural district, to take this fight to every village and corner in Jammu through panchayat-level chaupals, gram sabha resolutions, ward-level sit-ins, dharnas, symbolic protests etc. through the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram, started by the congress party.

District President Jammu Rural Neeraj Kundan extended heartfelt congratulations to Block President Rumal Singh for orchestrating such a successful and well-attended programme. He reaffirmed the party’s unwavering resolve, stating, “We are committed to continuing this struggle for MGNREGA until the last person standing in the queue receives justice. This is not merely a political campaign; it is a battle for the survival and dignity of rural India. The ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ will reach every panchayat in Jammu Rural and beyond, mobilizing the masses against these anti-people policies.”

Neeraj Kundan urged the workers to remain prepared for the upcoming panchayat and municipality elections and reiterated the resolve to empower booth-level workers.

Sr. leaders Shri Rakesh Wazir, Nirdosh Sharma,  Ajay Lakhotra-President NSUI, Varinder Manhas, Vijayat Pathania, Block Presidents Sh Parshotam Singh, Sh Zorawar singh, Sh Jung Bahadur Sharma and Sh Babu khana , Sarpanchs Soma Devi, Balwan Singh, Capt. Janak Singh, Varinder Mehta, Kaka Ram, Amit Kumar, Farid Beg, Vijay Kumar Bhagat, Vijay Kumar Sharma, M. M. Dubey, Parkash Singh , Shamsher Singh, Mohd Salim, Ramesh Lal,  Gulshan Kumar, Kuldeep Singh , Shamsher Sing , Pt. Mohan Lal also spoke in the meeting.