Mahatma Gandhi's '100 Days Work Scheme' Must Not Be Abolished!

Mahatma Gandhi's '100 Days Work Scheme' Must Not Be Abolished!

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi Demands Fascist BJP Government to Withdraw the Attempt!

The Modi government today introduced a new Bill (VB -G RAM G) in the Lok Sabha with the aim of abolishing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. On behalf of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, we strongly urge that this bill should not be passed and must be withdrawn. We call upon all sections of society to come forward and defeat this fascist attack launched by the Modi government against the poor people.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is an important law enacted by the United Progressive Alliance government. Based on this law, people in rural areas can register themselves under this scheme and receive a minimum of 100 days of work per year. This law defined providing employment as a statutory right, something not seen anywhere else in the world. As a result, crores of landless agricultural labourers in rural areas were rescued from poverty. This scheme provided them with a minimum income during periods when agricultural work was unavailable. It also greatly helped in boosting the rural economy.

Immediately upon assuming office in 2014, the Modi government attempted to abolish this scheme. Due to the ensuing opposition, they abandoned that effort but gradually began reducing the funds allocated to it. Moreover, by mandating that those registered under the scheme link their job cards with Aadhaar cards and record their fingerprints using biometric methods, the Modi government effectively removed crores of agricultural labourers from the scheme. Having slowly murdered the scheme in this manner, the Modi government has now decided to completely abolish it and has introduced this Amendment Bill.

The Congress government brought in this scheme in the name of Mahatma Gandhi, who deeply cared about the rural populace. However, the Modi government, which is guided by the ideology of those who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, has now removed Mahatma Gandhi's name from this scheme. This is not just a disrespect shown to Mahatma Gandhi but an insult to the entire nation.

Previously, the entire wages under this scheme were provided by the Union Government. This has been changed in the new bill. The bill states that the Union Government will provide only 90% of the wages for the North Eastern states and some Union Territories, but for other states, the Union Government will now only bear 60% of the total expenditure, and the remaining 40% must be provided by the respective state governments. This imposes a heavy financial burden on the state governments. This scheme was implemented across India. However, the new bill states that the scheme should henceforth be implemented only in areas specified by the Union Government.

The existing law stated that work must be provided to those registered under the scheme when they request it. But the new bill states that the Union Government will only allocate a specific amount, and will disburse it to the state governments based on certain criteria set by the Union Government. The Modi government has already withheld funds for Union Government schemes meant for non-BJP-ruled states. This new provision will pave the way for the government to withhold even this fund from states ruled by opposition parties.

In short, the Modi government has attempted to completely dismantle the small amount of economic security that landless agricultural labourers in rural areas had.

The Modi government, which attempted to destroy Indian farmers through the farm laws, is now seeking to hit the livelihood of agricultural labourers. When this bill was introduced, all opposition members protested and urged that it be sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for review. But the Modi government introduced the bill without heeding their request.

It was due to the unwavering struggle of the farmers that the Modi government was forced to withdraw the farm laws. Likewise, on behalf of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, we appeal to all democratic forces to unite in a single rank to force the withdrawal of this Bill as well.