Odisha Congress Protests: Denied Access to Governor Over MGNREGA Memo

Odisha Congress leaders expressed their dissatisfaction over being denied a meeting with the governor to submit a memorandum demanding the restoration of MGNREGA. The party claimed that they were asked to leave the memo at the reception, prompting them to plan a submission to the President instead.

Odisha Congress leaders voiced frustration on Tuesday after being barred from meeting Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati to deliver a memorandum advocating for the reinstatement of MGNREGA. The program was recently replaced by VB-G RAM G, drawing ire from the party.

At a press conference, Congress leader Sudarshan Das revealed that despite seeking a meeting a week in advance, they were only instructed to leave the memorandum at the Lok Bhavan reception, describing the situation as 'highly unfortunate.' The appointment was aimed at discussing opposition to the new scheme VB-G RAM G under the Congress's Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan.

In response to the cold reception, Das announced plans to escalate the issue to the President. This action follows a 'satyagraha' protest led by RGPRS and its chairman Sunil Panwar, advocating for the withdrawal of the VB-G RAM G Act. To intensify their efforts, the Congress launched a nationwide campaign 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' protesting the act's repeal.