CPI(M) demands govt to reconsider proposals "diluting" MNREGA

Accusing the government of "depriving" states of funds meant for MGNREGA, CPI(M) today demanded the government to reconsider its "anti-poor" proposals for the rural job scheme including restricting it to 200 backward districts and introduction of machines.
In a memorandum submitted by Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury and central committee leader P Karunakaran to Rural Development Minister Birender Singh, the party said that despite being the best performing state in MGNREGA, Tripura's budget allocation has been slashed by 50 percent this year which has affected the tribals and dalits.
"For the last several years, Tripura has been the best performing state in MGNREGA in India providing number of workdays that are double the national average.

"However this year under the NDA Government, the budget allocation for Tripura has been slashed by almost 50 per cent from what is required. As a result the main beneficiaries who comprise tribals, dalits and the rural poor are being very badly affected.
"This is part of the general policy of drastically reduced allocations to MGNREGA. Other states are also affected," the party said in the memorandum.
The party had organised a dharna "Save MGNREGA, Save the Poor", led by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, yesterday in New Delhi, in which thousands of MNREGA workers took part.

The party said the "anti-poor" proposals of the NDA government include "moves to restrict MGREGA to 200 backward districts in the name of concentration on integrated participation, change in the present labour-material ratio of 60:40 to 51:49 and permission for introduction of machines in the name of creation of durable assets in turn facilitating entry of contractors".

"We urge you to reconsider these steps which are very harmful for the interests of the rural poor. We request you not to convert a demand driven law into a quota driven one and ensure allocations according to the agreed labour budgets of the states.
"We also request you not to change the present labour material ratio or to restrict the working of the Act to specific districts which is entirely illegal. We raise these demands as part of our movement to strengthen the right to work," the memorandum said.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) enacted in 2005 aims to provide 100 days of work to unskilled poor people living in rural areas.