Jharkhand Congress Protests Against Controversial Rural Employment Bill

The Jharkhand Congress plans district-wide protests against a proposed bill replacing MGNREGA. The party claims it's a BJP conspiracy against a rights-based welfare scheme founded on Mahatma Gandhi’s principles. These nationwide protests aim to highlight concerns over workers’ rights and federal responsibilities.

In a robust campaign against the Centre's new rural employment bill, the Jharkhand Congress announced district-wide demonstrations on Wednesday. This move aligns with a broader national protest aimed at opposing proposed changes seen as dismantling the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Party leaders argue that replacing MGNREGA with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) bill undermines a welfare scheme that guarantees livelihood security in rural areas. The Congress frames the bill as a "BJP-RSS conspiracy" to erode workers' rights and Gandhi's legacy.

State Congress president Keshav Mahato Kamlesh highlighted the significance of these protests coinciding with the party's foundation day. They aim to preserve the spirit of MGNREGA and resist changes perceived as detrimental to federal responsibility and social justice.

(With inputs from agencies.)