New Delhi [India], April 17: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a strong attack on the Modi government on Thursday, accusing it of neglecting the needs of MGNREGA workers by refusing to increase their daily wages.
Taking to social media platform X, Kharge referenced recommendations from both a Joint Parliamentary Committee and a High-Level Committee led by Amarjeet Sinha, which had proposed raising the daily wage to Rs 400 and expanding the scheme’s budget. He alleged that the government’s refusal to act on these suggestions reflects its anti-poor policies.
“It seems the anti-people Modi government has refused to increase MGNREGA wages. This is like attacking the rights of MGNREGA workers,” Kharge posted. “Both the Parliamentary Committee and Amarjeet Sinha Committee had recommended a wage hike and budget expansion.”
He further accused the government of systematically undermining the scheme. “Be it excluding nearly seven crore registered workers from MGNREGA through Aadhaar-based payment conditions, or allocating the lowest MGNREGA budget in a decade compared to the total budget, the Modi government has consistently targeted MGNREGA,” Kharge said.
Reiterating the Congress party’s stance, Kharge demanded a minimum daily wage of Rs 400 for MGNREGA workers and at least 150 days of guaranteed work per year.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is aimed at enhancing rural livelihood security by offering at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment annually to willing adult members of rural households. The scheme promotes community involvement through Panchayat Raj institutions and emphasizes sustainable development by creating durable community assets.