Ranchi: A significant meeting was held in Ranchi between senior Congress leaders and representatives of various civil society organisations to discuss the protection of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Social organisations highlighted the scheme’s crucial contribution to rural livelihoods and appreciated the efforts being made by the Congress to safeguard it, expressing full support for the initiative.
The meeting was attended by Jharkhand’s Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ms Deepika Pandey Singh, Jharkhand Congress in-charge Mr K. Raju, co-incharge Mr Bhupendra Maravi, National Chairman of Rachnatmak Congress and member of the MGNREGA Coordination Committee Mr Sandeep Dikshit, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperation Minister Ms Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Mr Rajesh Kachhap, renowned economist Prof Jean Drèze, Mr James Heranj from Jharkhand NREGA Manch, Mr Balram from MGNREGA Watch, along with representatives of social organisations and Congress office-bearers.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the achievements of MGNREGA in Jharkhand, its role in asset creation, sustainable livelihoods, and the development of rural infrastructure.
Civil society groups shared their grassroots experiences, stating that MGNREGA has ensured employment, timely wages, and dignity in villages, while also providing stability to the rural economy.
The organisations raised key demands, including:
•Job cards should not be deleted without Gram Sabha approval
•Work must be guaranteed upon demand
•Payments should be made on time
•Muster rolls should be issued at the panchayat level
•Social audits under the ‘Demand Work Campaign’ must be further strengthened
Serious concern was expressed that VB GRAM G could weaken the rights-based nature of MGNREGA. Both Congress and civil society organisations agreed to work together strategically to protect the scheme, oppose the proposed law, and ensure coordinated action among the government, Congress, and social organisations.
Mr James Heranj emphasised the need to intensify the ‘Demand Work Campaign’, stating that it would generate more employment opportunities in villages and directly benefit rural communities.
Social activist Ms Dayamani Barla said the Central Government must withdraw VB GRAM G and restore MGNREGA in its original form.
National Chairman Mr Sandeep Dikshit stated that MGNREGA has established minimum wage standards and provided dignified employment to workers. Weakening such a rights-based programme, he warned, could severely harm labour rights.
MKSS co-founder and social activist Mr Nikhil Dey noted that the impact of MGNREGA has been so widespread that marginalised rural communities have been able to escape debt bondage and exploitative systems. He stressed the need for Congress workers, the government, and civil organisations to work together at the grassroots level to ensure timely wage payments and a concrete action plan.
Jharkhand Congress in-charge Mr K. Raju announced that every MLA would run a model ‘Demand Work Campaign’ in their respective constituencies. He also informed that a state-level MGNREGA Task Force would be formed and district coordinators would be appointed.
Rural Development Minister Ms Deepika Pandey Singh shared that between February 2 and 5, 2026, the ‘Demand Work Campaign’ was organised across 4,080 panchayats in the state, with 1,74,245 participants. Of these, 1,03,158 people registered work demands.
During the campaign:
•17,914 new job cards were issued.
•Thousands of workers completed e-KYC
•Numerous new project applications were received
At the conclusion of the meeting, civil society organisations reaffirmed their commitment to work continuously with Congress to protect MGNREGA and maintain it as a rights-based, participatory rural development programme.
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