Cm Sukhu today paid homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his death anniversary at the historic Ridge Ground in Shimla. On this occasion, Congress leaders observed a two-hour fast from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm to protest against the renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and what they called the weakening of its core principles.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister said that the BJP-led Union Government has not only changed the name of MGNREGA but has also undermined the very objectives of the scheme. He added that earlier the scheme provided employment opportunities to rural youth and women, but now such employment avenues have been reduced.
Sukhu said that previously, village panchayat heads (pradhans) had the authority to undertake works such as road construction under MGNREGA, ensuring local employment in rural areas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme played a crucial role in providing maximum employment. He added that the powers of panchayat pradhans have now been curtailed.
The Chief Minister further said that for the past 20 years, MGNREGA had guaranteed employment and also provided unemployment allowance when work was not offered. He said the two-hour fast was organized to protest against the systematic weakening of the scheme. He also pointed out that earlier the Union Government bore 100% of the expenditure under MGNREGA, but now the 90:10 funding pattern would negatively impact Himachal Pradesh.
Responding to a question regarding the reduction of import duty on apples, the Chief Minister said that he had previously raised the issue with Union Minister Piyush Goyal. He warned that any reduction in import duty could seriously harm apple growers in Himachal Pradesh. The Union Government has asked the State Government to send a team of officers and orchardists from Himachal Pradesh for further examination and discussion of the matter.
