Will stage protests throughout State against this decision
TNR News Network
Shimla
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today staged a protest along with his Cabinet colleagues near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Ridge, Shimla, against the Central Government’s decision to end the MNREGA scheme.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that scrapping MNREGA is a severe blow to the rural poor. He said the scheme was launched by the Congress government to create employment opportunities in rural areas, inspired by the vision of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.
He said that earlier, development works under MNREGA were planned and implemented on the basis of demands of Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas. However, under the new system, Panchayat Pradhans will no longer prepare plans. Instead, funds will be allocated by the Central Government and development works will be notified centrally for specific areas. He added that the Congress Party will hold protests at district and block levels to make people aware of this anti-people decision.
The Chief Minister said that this decision is especially painful for Himachal Pradesh. Earlier, 100 percent of the wages under MNREGA were paid by the Central Government and the State Government additionally contributed Rs. 80 per day to workers. Under the new provisions, the Centre will bear only 90 percent of the wages, while the State Government will have to bear 10 percent. He demanded that the scheme should continue based on Panchayat demands and local development needs.
He also said that payments being made to officers and employees posted in Zila Parishads under the scheme have been discontinued in the new arrangement.
Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said that the State Government also opposes the reduction in import duty on apples by the Central Government. He said this decision would cause heavy losses to apple growers in Himachal Pradesh and assured that the matter would be taken up with the Centre to protect the interests of orchardists.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, HPCC President Vinay Kumar, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, AYUSH Minister Yadvinder Goma, Congress co-incharge Chetan Chauhan, MLAs Chander Shekhar and Anuradha Rana, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Sunil Sharma, Principal Advisor Media Naresh Chauhan, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Councillors, Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons of various boards and corporations and Senior Congress leaders were present on the occasion.
