Cong targets BJP over 'poor' implementation of MGNREGA

Congress today targeted BJP alleging poor implementation of MGNREGA under the NDA dispensation even as it lauded party vice president Rahul Gandhi for taking efforts to make the rural job scheme launched by the erstwhile UPA government a "nation-wide" programme.
"The scheme has been languishing as employment rate has come down to half ever since the Narendra Modi government has assumed office. We had ensured minimum 100 days of employment for poor every year but the number has come down to 39 days now," AICC spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.
Surjewala made the remarks during a meeting organised by party's Delhi unit to celebrate 10th anniversary of the programme.

The meeting was also attended by Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken, AICC in-charge of the state unit PC Chacko and other office-bearers.
Surjewala said that initially MGNREGA was launched in 200 most backward districts and in the second phase, it was implemented in 130 additional districts in 2007-2008.
"But the scheme was introduced in all districts of the country on April 1, 2008 on the suggestion of Gandhi," he said.

Maken called MGNREGA the "world's first and largest" social security scheme which helped make a dent on poverty in rural areas.
He also slammed BJP for opposing the scheme initially but allegedly seeking to claim credit for it.

The leaders also paid homage to senior Congress leader and former Lok Sabha speaker Balram Jhakhar who passed away here today at the age of 92.
"Shri Jhakhar was one of the senior party leaders who spent his entire life in fighting to protect interest of farmers. In every sense, he was the protector of the farmers. In his death, Congress has lost one of the greatest patriots," Maken said in a message.