MOHAMMAD ZIYAUDDIN
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New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday called for an increase in minimum wages and workdays under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), citing concerns over stagnating budget allocations.
Speaking during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, she accused the BJP-led central government of systematically undermining the scheme by not increasing funds despite rising demand.
Key Demands Made by Sonia Gandhi
Increase minimum wage under MGNREGA by ₹400 per day
Ensure timely disbursement of wages to workers
Raise the number of guaranteed workdays from 100 to 150 per year
Expand the scheme by making adequate budget provisions
“These measures are essential to ensure that MGNREGA provides dignified employment and financial security to rural workers,” Gandhi emphasized.
MGNREGA: A Lifeline for Rural Workers
MGNREGA, launched in 2005, guarantees 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households. Over the years, it has played a crucial role in poverty alleviation, especially during economic slowdowns and crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Congress has been pushing for higher wages and more workdays, arguing that inflation and economic distress have made the current benefits inadequate.
It remains to be seen how the central government responds to these demands, as MGNREGA continues to be a politically significant welfare scheme ahead of upcoming elections.
