Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday targeted the central government in Parliament over the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). He pointed out four shortcomings in this and urged to ensure proper budget allocation for the same. Also demanded payment of wages to the laborers within 15 days of work. Union ministers Anurag Thakur and Giriraj Singh retaliated on this. Both accused the Congress leader of politicizing the issue. He also said that there is not the slightest truth in his words.
Sonia Gandhi raised the issue of budget allocation and payment of wages under MNREGA in the Lok Sabha, claiming that unemployment is increasing continuously in the country. Even after this, the budget of MGNREGA for the current year is 35 percent less than that of 2020. Sonia Gandhi said, “MNREGA was ridiculed by many a few years back. It provided timely help to crores of poor families during the corona pandemic and lockdown and played a positive role in saving the government. Yet the budgetary allocation for MGNREGA is being cut continuously.
Sonia Gandhi further said, “I urge the Center to make proper allocation of the budget for MNREGA. Ensure payment of wages to laborers within 15 days of work and ensure legal compensation in case of delay in payment. The annual action plans of the states should be fixed without any delay.
Sonia Gandhi also said, “States were told that their annual labor budget will not be approved unless they fulfill the conditions related to social audit and appointment of Lokpal. Social audit should be made effective, but workers cannot be penalized by withholding money for it on the basis of deficiencies.”