Udayanidhi Stalin Inaugurates Exhibition; Debates Renaming of MGNREGA

Tamil Nadu's Deputy CM Udayanidhi Stalin inaugurated a festive exhibition supporting women self-help groups and expressed concerns over renaming MGNREGA. M.K. Stalin criticized the BJP-led government for alleged deceptive changes to rural employment schemes affecting state finances and rural livelihoods.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udayanidhi Stalin on Thursday inaugurated a special exhibition celebrating Christmas, New Year, and Pongal, featuring products made by women's self-help groups. The fair, organized by the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women (TNCDW), aims to promote economic empowerment among women.

Addressing attendees, Udayanidhi urged citizens and corporations to support women's enterprises by purchasing their products as gifts during the festive season. 'I appeal to people and private companies to buy products from women's self-help groups during the holidays, thereby affirming their support,' he stated.

Meanwhile, Udayanidhi expressed disappointment over the proposed renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to VB G-Ram-G. Highlighting financial concerns, he alleged that Rs. 4,000 crores owed to Tamil Nadu remain unreleased by the Union government. Similarly, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin criticized the new scheme, Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB G RAM G), labeling it a 'deceptive ploy' undermining rural livelihoods.

(With inputs from agencies.)