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| JKPCC continues ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ in Arnia Kool | | | 
early times report
Jammu, Jan 25: JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla today continued the Congress party’s mass outreach campaign under the banner of “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram”, launched by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), by addressing a public gathering at Panchayat Arnia Kool, organized by the District Jammu Rural Committee. The programme was aimed at strongly protesting the Union Government’s decision to change the name of the historic Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a scheme that has been a lifeline for rural India and particularly for the economically weaker sections of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, Raman Bhalla said that MGNREGA is not merely a welfare scheme but a powerful instrument of social security that guarantees dignity, employment, and survival to rural households. He asserted that any attempt to dilute, rename, or undermine the identity of this landmark legislation is a direct attack on the rights of the poor. Bhalla stated that Mahatma Gandhi’s name is inseparably linked with truth, justice, and empowerment of the weakest, and removing or altering it reflects a deliberate attempt to erase the ideological foundations of inclusive development.
Highlighting contemporary public issues confronting the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Bhalla expressed serious concern over rising unemployment, especially among youth, shrinking job opportunities, and uncertainty in recruitment processes. He said that despite tall claims, ground realities reflect growing frustration among educated youth who are struggling for employment and facing delays in recruitment exams and result declarations. He urged the government to take urgent corrective measures to generate sustainable employment and restore confidence among the youth.
Raman Bhalla also drew attention to the deteriorating condition of basic civic amenities in rural and semi-urban areas of J&K. He said that people are grappling with acute shortages of drinking water, erratic power supply, poor road connectivity, and inadequate healthcare facilities. Inflation, rising prices of essential commodities, and increasing fuel costs have further burdened common households. He stressed that instead of symbolic changes and renaming exercises, the government should focus on addressing these genuine issues affecting daily life.
Further, Bhalla raised concern over the alleged weakening of democratic institutions and lack of public participation in decision-making processes in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that schemes like MGNREGA must be strengthened with adequate funding, timely wage payments, and increased workdays to support rural livelihoods. He warned that the Congress party will intensify its agitation if the Union Government continues to ignore the voice of the people and undermines welfare-oriented legislations.
Speaking on the occasion, Neeraj Kundan, District President Jammu Rural, strongly supported the stand taken by the Congress leadership and said that MGNREGA has played a crucial role in providing employment security to rural families in Jammu district. He appealed to the government to immediately withdraw any move aimed at changing the name or weakening the scheme and instead ensure its effective implementation. Kundan assured that the District Jammu Rural Committee will continue mobilizing people at the grassroots level to protect public welfare schemes and safeguard the rights of the poor. |
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