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| Bhalla flags livelihood crisis and democratic erosion under 'MGNREGA Bachao' and 'Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq' | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 28: In a strong show of protest against what it described as anti-people policies and growing public distress, the Congress party on Wednesday organised a peaceful sit-in dharna at New Plot, Jammu, under the banners of 'MGNREGA Bachao' and 'Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq'. Senior party leaders, workers and supporters participated while holding placards and raising slogans to draw attention to the alleged systematic weakening of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the continuing erosion of constitutional, democratic and economic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The protest was organised as per the directions of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC).
Leading the protest, JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla strongly criticised the government for what he termed as a deliberate attempt to dilute MGNREGA, which he described as a lifeline for rural and economically weaker households in Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that frequent delays in wage payments, reduction in guaranteed workdays, non-issuance of job cards and lack of transparency in implementation have pushed thousands of labourers and their families into financial distress. Bhalla asserted that MGNREGA is a statutory right of the people and not a charity, and any weakening of the scheme amounts to a direct attack on the dignity and survival of the rural poor.
Raman Bhalla said that the crisis in MGNREGA reflects a larger pattern of neglect and misgovernance in J&K, where common people are grappling with multiple unresolved issues. He highlighted rising unemployment, particularly among educated youth, inflation and unprecedented price rise of essential commodities, poor condition of roads and civic amenities, irregular power and water supply, and inadequate healthcare facilities. He said that farmers and orchardists are suffering due to high input costs, lack of adequate compensation for crop losses, and absence of effective marketing support, while small traders and business communities are reeling under economic slowdown and uncertainty.
The Congress leader also expressed grave concern over mounting public issues in the Union Territory, stating that day-to-day problems of the people are getting multiplied in wait of their genuine address. He said that public grievance redressal mechanisms have weakened, development works have slowed down, and there is growing alienation among the masses. Bhalla emphasized that democratic institutions and public participation are essential for responsive governance, and their absence is hurting the socio-economic fabric of Jammu and Kashmir. |
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