my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 21 Jan: Uttarakhand Congress President Ganesh Godiyal has constituted a five-member committee to provide impetus to the ‘Save MNREGA Campaign’ being spearheaded by the All India Congress Committee. MLA Vikram Singh Negi has been appointed as the convener of this committee, while the other members include MLA Manoj Tiwari, Virendra Jati, Adesh Chauhan, and DD Kuniyal.
The committee has been tasked with the responsibility of organising ‘Chaupals’ (village meetings) at the panchayat level in their respective designated districts to raise awareness among the public regarding the flaws in the changes introduced to the MNREGA scheme.
Commenting on the campaign, Godiyal claimed that the UPA government had introduced MNREGA to provide a guarantee of employment, but following the modifications made by the BJP government, the scheme has been reduced to a guarantee of not providing even 60 days of work. He pointed out that while the Central Government previously bore the entire expenditure, the intention behind shifting the burden onto state governments now is merely to gradually abolish the scheme, as it would be impossible for state governments to mobilise the necessary budget.
Godiyal further claimed that the Congress Party had empowered villages through panchayats so that local residents could play an active role in their own development, but now the government in Delhi intends to decide the locations for roads and ponds. Regarding these restrictions, the All India Congress Committee has also issued a letter which will be read out during the Chaupals and distributed to educate the masses.
He added that reports from the Chaupals held in every block and panchayat will be sent through the PCC to the All India Congress Committee’s MNREGA Sangram Control Room. Under this programme, MLA Vikram Singh Negi organised Chaupals in 20 villages of Tehri district today, including Kaleth, Semwal Gaon, Dabri Gaon, Bor Gaon, Biwad Gaon, Tallauppu Gaon, Kota Ronalua, Sod Appu, Ratanau, Nakhot, Ujad, and Dang. During these sessions, the Pradhans of four villages, inspired by the spirit of the Save MNREGA Campaign, left the BJP to express their faith in the Congress Party. These include Dharm Singh Adhikari of Sleti village, Trilok Singh of Koti Raulelo, Saraswati Tomar of Semwal Gaon, and Raghubir Singh Kathait of Gram Girgani.
MLA Vikram Singh Negi is further expected to designate specific districts for the four committee members and play an active role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the Choupals. Support from all senior leaders at the block and panchayat levels will also be enlisted for these gatherings. State In-charge Kumari Selja has issued instructions to ensure the active participation of the Uttarakhand State Unorganised Workers and Employees Congress, State Mahila Congress, and the State Congress Scheduled Caste Department in this state wide campaign under the MNREGA Bachao Coordination Committee.
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