Congress launches 45-day ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ against new rural jobs legislation

The 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' (Save MGNREGA Struggle) launched by the Congress party is a significant political and social campaign that brings to the forefront critical debates around India's flagship rural employment guarantee scheme. This 45-day campaign aims to restore the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to its 'original form' as a rights-based legislation, strengthen the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), and ensure greater accountability in its implementation.

**Background Context and What Happened:**

MGNREGA, enacted on August 25, 2005, during the UPA government's tenure, is a social security measure that guarantees the 'right to work' by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Its core objectives were to enhance livelihood security in rural areas, create durable assets, and reduce distress migration. The scheme is considered a landmark in rights-based legislation, directly aligning with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Indian Constitution, particularly Article 41 (Right to Work) and Article 43 (Living Wage). Over the years, MGNREGA has been lauded for its impact on poverty reduction, women's empowerment, and asset creation, especially benefiting Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.

The Congress party's 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' campaign stems from concerns that the current Central government's policies and budgetary allocations are weakening the scheme. The party alleges a dilution of its rights-based character, citing issues like delayed wage payments, reduced budgets, the introduction of technology-driven attendance systems (like NMMS) without adequate infrastructure, and a perceived centralisation of power at the expense of local self-governments. The campaign specifically advocates for the restoration of MGNREGA's original provisions, emphasizing its role in guaranteeing employment as a legal right, ensuring that wages are paid promptly, and making the entire process more transparent and accountable.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

1. **Congress Party:** As the main opposition party, it is spearheading the campaign to highlight perceived governmental failures in social welfare, rally public support, and position itself as a champion of the poor and rural populace. This is also a strategic move in the political landscape, especially concerning upcoming elections.

2. **Central Government (BJP-led):** The current government is the primary target of the campaign's criticism. While acknowledging the scheme's importance, the government has introduced reforms, including technological interventions and stricter budget management, which it claims are aimed at improving efficiency and reducing corruption. They often argue against the 'leakage' and 'inefficiency' that plagued the scheme in the past.

3. **Rural Workers/Beneficiaries:** These are the direct stakeholders whose livelihood security is dependent on MGNREGA. Issues like delayed wage payments, insufficient work days, and bureaucratic hurdles directly impact them. Their participation and grievances are central to the campaign's narrative.

4. **Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs):** The campaign explicitly demands strengthening the role of Panchayats. Under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992), PRIs are envisioned as crucial implementers of rural development schemes. Their involvement in identifying works, sanctioning projects, and monitoring implementation is vital for the scheme's success and for local democracy. The Congress argues that their role has been diluted, leading to centralisation and reduced local accountability.

5. **Civil Society Organizations and Activists:** Many non-governmental organizations and social activists have historically advocated for stronger implementation of MGNREGA, fighting for workers' rights, transparency, and timely wage payments. They often align with campaigns that seek to protect the rights-based nature of the scheme.

**Significance for India and Future Implications:**

This campaign is significant for India on multiple fronts. Economically, MGNREGA plays a counter-cyclical role, providing a crucial safety net during economic downturns or agricultural distress, as was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. It injects purchasing power into the rural economy, stimulates demand, and helps in asset creation like irrigation canals, rural roads, and water conservation structures. Socially, it has been instrumental in empowering women and marginalized communities by providing independent income, reducing distress migration, and fostering local development. Politically, the campaign underscores the ongoing ideological battle over welfare policies, the role of the state in providing social security, and the balance between centralisation and decentralisation in governance.

The demand to strengthen Panchayats directly relates to the principles of democratic decentralization enshrined in the Indian Constitution through the 73rd Amendment. Any move to bypass or weaken PRIs in scheme implementation goes against the spirit of local self-governance. The emphasis on accountability is crucial for good governance, ensuring that public funds are utilized effectively and that beneficiaries receive their due entitlements without corruption.

In the future, this campaign could lead to increased public pressure on the government to address the alleged shortcomings in MGNREGA implementation. It might influence budgetary allocations, policy reforms, and even electoral outcomes, especially in rural constituencies. The debate also highlights the broader challenge of balancing fiscal prudence with the imperative of social welfare spending, particularly in a developing economy like India. The outcome of such campaigns often shapes the future trajectory of India's social security architecture and the nature of its federal and democratic institutions.