The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) in a statement strongly condemned the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural employment scheme, popularly known as the MGNREGA. The party accused the central government of attempting to erase the contributions of national leaders and freedom fighters from India’s history while promoting the political agenda of the BJP-RSS leadership.
The TPCC criticized the renaming of the project, stating that it provides no tangible benefit to the public and undermines the historical significance of the scheme in India’s rural economy. The Congress leaders also highlighted that the Modi government, since coming to power, has weakened the scheme by reducing budget allocations, linking workers’ accounts to Aadhaar, excluding eligible workers from the lists, and delaying the payment of wages.
According to the statement, budget allocations for the scheme have steadily decreased: from ₹1,11,171 crore in 2020-21 to ₹85,839 crore in 2024-25.
As a result, the average number of days of work available under the scheme has dropped to 40–42 days per year nationally, and 32–34 days in Tripura, leaving ₹9,200 crore of wages pending.
The TPCC demanded:
Restoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s name in the rural employment scheme.
Guarantee of at least 200 days of work per year under the scheme.
Inclusion of all eligible workers, including those excluded due to digital registration errors.
Extension of the scheme to Indian citizens living across the border in Tripura.
A minimum daily wage of ₹500 in the state and timely payment of wages after work completion.
The statement accused the central government of pursuing a political agenda at the cost of rural development and workers’ rights, calling for immediate corrective action.
