JAMMU, Jan 10: Advocate Fairoz Khan, Senior Congress Leader, PCC Observer Jammu Rural and Former National President NSUI, today strongly criticised the Centre for replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB-G RAM G), calling it an ideological and political move rather than a genuine reform.
He said Mahatma Gandhi is the Father of the Nation, and MGNREGA was consciously named after him to reflect the values of dignity of labour, self-reliance, and social justice.
“Changing the name of MGNREGA is not governance, it is politics. The BJP is trying to erase Gandhi’s legacy because it is uncomfortable with his ideas and moral authority,” Fairoz Khan said. He reiterated that MGNREGA is a legal right to work, not a welfare handout, and any dilution—through renaming, restructuring, or weakening statutory guarantees—directly undermines the dignity and security of rural workers. He pointed to persistent delays in wage payments, reduction in workdays, and increased centralisation as clear attempts to hollow out the scheme from within. “If the government truly cared about rural employment, it would strengthen MGNREGA instead of repackaging it,” he added. Fairoz Khan further alleged that the Centre is weakening Gram Panchayats and local self-governance, striking at the very foundation on which MGNREGA was built.
Highlighting its social importance, he said MGNREGA remains a lifeline for rural India—especially women, marginalised communities, and landless workers—during periods of unemployment and economic distress. He said that through MGNREGA Bachao Sangram, the Congress is mobilising people nationwide through protests, legal action, and grassroots campaigns. “Our demand is simple and firm: restore full funding, ensure timely wages, protect workers’ rights, and preserve both the name and spirit of MGNREGA,” he said. Concluding, Fairoz Khan warned that replacing MGNREGA and removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name amounts to a direct attack on social justice, constitutional values, and the soul of rural India, and asserted that Congress will resist it at every level. Fairoz Khan also expressed gratitude on being appointed PCC Observer, Jammu Rural. He thanked JKPCC President Shri Tariq Hameed Karra for the trust and responsibility, and Shri Naseer Syed Sahib, General Secretary AICC, Incharge J&K and MP, for his guidance and support.
He also thanked Ms. Divya Madrena and Sardar Pratap Singh, along with all senior leaders and colleagues named in the circular. “I will work with full commitment to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots and contribute meaningfully to MGNREGA Bachao Sangram and Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq. I am grateful for the confidence reposed in me,” he said.
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