Changes to the MGNREGA law are a betrayal of workers: Chandigarh Experts and Activists
Speakers raise alarm over proposed legal, technical and financial changes to MGNREGA. Chandigarh, January 11:Concerns over proposed MGNREGA (MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE ) law changes dominated a seminar titled “MGNREGA – Changes, Challenges and the Road Ahead” held at Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Sector 28-A, on Sunday. The seminar was organised with the support of the Pind Bachao Punjab Bachao Manch and attended by leading intellectuals, journalists and social activists from across Punjab. Speakers described the move to replace the existing MGNREGA law with a new framework as a “direct betrayal of the working class,” questioning the government’s claim of extending employment to 125 days when the legally guaranteed 100 days of work is not being ensured on the ground. Presiding over the event, former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, said, “Placing a 40 percent financial burden on states under the new policy is impossible for a debt-ridden state like Punjab. This is a direct attack on the federal structure.” He warned that continued erosion of labour rights could trigger unrest similar to the farmers’ movement. Presenting a research paper, Engineer Tejinder Singh highlighted how digital attendance through NMMS and Aadhaar-based payment systems (ABPS) have created difficulties for workers. “Due to poor internet connectivity in rural areas, labourers are losing wages despite completing work,” he said. Dr Pyara Lal Garg questioned the intent behind the changes and described MGNREGA as a “legal guarantee rather than a welfare scheme.” He stated that renaming it as Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar (VB-GRAM G) and reducing budget allocations amounted to a political attempt to dilute its original spirit. Senior journalist Hamir Singh linked the proposed MGNREGA law changes to growing global trends of centralised governance. Explaining differences between the existing Act and the proposed VB-GRAM G framework, he cautioned that new provisions could weaken employment security and labour protections. Addressing social implications, Jaspal Singh Sidhu noted that over 50 percent of MGNREGA beneficiaries are women. He warned that weakening the scheme would adversely affect women’s empowerment and accelerate forced migration from rural to urban areas, impacting the national economy. Manpreet Kaur Rajpura highlighted the challenges faced by women from nearly 20,000 families associated with MGNREGA works. Karnail Singh Jakhepal, president of the International Democratic Party, proposed that MGNREGA must be protected as a “right, not charity,” with enhanced budgetary support and stronger links to agriculture and environmental conservation. The proceedings were conducted by Dr Khushhal Singh, General Secretary, Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Chandigarh.
