Trade forum seeks resolution against MNREGA rollback

Claiming that the central government was planning a phase-wise rollback of MNREGA, a forum of independent trade unions Friday sought an all party resolution by the West Bengal assembly against the purported move.

The Ossongothito Khetra Sramik Sangrami Mancha - a forum of trade unions and organisations of workers in the unorganised sector - said it was in talk with parties like the CPI-M, BJP, Congress and West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress seeking an all-party resolution.

"Despite several shortcomings, the MNREGA has been providing social security to a large section of workers in the unorganised sector. But instead of ironing out the flaws and ensuring better implementation, the Narendra Modi government has initiated plans to rollback the scheme in a phased manner," said Anuradha Talwar, member of the forum.

Citing Minister of Rural Development Nitin Gadkari's proposal to restrict it to the poorest parts of the country, the forum claimed that the central government has initiated plans to rollback the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act from 200 districts in the first phase.

"We have been discussing the issue with political parties here for an all party resolution in the assembly against the move. The fact that the scheme's budget has come down to Rs.33,000 crore in 2012-13 from Rs.39,100 crore in 2009-10 is indicative of the centre's plans," said Talwar.

The forum also accused the central government and the Mamata Banerjee government of intentionally delaying the implementation of the Food Security Act (FSA) and other social security schemes including minimum wages for the unorganised sector workers.

"It's an irony that the unorganised sector which accounts for nearly 92 percent of the country's workforce and contributes over half of the GDP, is devoid of basic social security," said Pratip Nag, member of the forum.

The forum said the central government was deliberately extending the implementation period of the FSA that was passed in July 2013 with a year stipulated for its implementation.

"Neither the central government nor the state government is interested in implementing the FSA which will benefit lakhs of poor," said Nag.

The forum has called a rally in Kolkata Nov 11 to protest against the government apathy towards the unorganised sector workers and demanding suitable social security measures for them.