Congress leaders protest replacing MGNREGA with new scheme, slams Central Govt for "Name-Changing" politics
FEROZEPUR, December 30, 2025: Senior Congress leaders and party workers held a district-level press conference at Congress Bhawan in Ferozepur today, raising a sharp protest against the Central Government’s decision to dissolve the MGNREGA scheme and replace it with a new program - VB G RAM G.
Addressing the media, former Member of Parliament and party observer Jasbir Singh Dimpa launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Center, labeling it a "government of name-changers." Dimpa alleged that by altering the names of historic institutions, cities, and now pro-poor schemes, the Modi-Shah administration is attempting to erase the legacy of the freedom struggle and the constitutional values of the country.
"MGNREGA was not just a government scheme; it was a realization of Mahatma Gandhi’s vision to ensure every individual could live with dignity without begging for a livelihood," Dimpa stated. He argued that while the new scheme makes "verbal promises" of 125 days of work, the reality remains bleak, with poor families currently receiving an average of only 42 days of employment per year. He further criticized the shifting of the financial burden onto state governments, noting that a debt-ridden state like Punjab would struggle to sustain such a load.
Dimpa also highlighted technical hurdles, such as Aadhaar-linked payments and digital attendance requirements, which he claimed would unfairly penalize less-educated labourers and those living in areas with poor internet connectivity.
Joining the protest, District President Kulbir Singh Zira warned of a large-scale agitation if the decision is not reversed. Zira also took aim at the AAP-led Punjab government, accusing it of negligence over the last four years regarding delayed wages and decreasing workdays, which he claimed has forced labourers to abandon the scheme.
The conference saw a large turnout of local leadership, including Gurbhej Singh Tibbi, Ashu Bangar, and various block presidents, all of whom pledged to continue the struggle for the rights of daily wagers and the preservation of the Panchayati Raj system.