THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, February 8: Senior Congress leaders and representatives of civil society organisations held an important meeting in Ranchi on Sunday to discuss the protection and strengthening of the rights-based framework of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). The meeting concluded with a consensus on coordinated action to safeguard the scheme.
Civil society groups praised MNREGA’s role in rural development and expressed full support for Congress’s campaign to preserve the Act in its original form.
Concerns Over Weakening of MNREGA’s Rights-Based Nature
The meeting was attended by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Deepika Pandey Singh, Jharkhand Congress in-charge K. Raju, co-in-charge Bhupendra Maravi, National Chairman of Constructive Congress and MNREGA Coordination Committee member Sandeep Dikshit, Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Rajesh Kachhap, noted economist Prof. Jean Drèze, James Herenz of Jharkhand NREGA Manch, Balram of MNREGA Watch, and representatives of several social organisations.
Participants discussed MNREGA’s achievements in Jharkhand, particularly its contribution to employment generation, asset creation, sustainable livelihoods, and rural infrastructure. Social organisations shared ground-level experiences, stating that MNREGA has ensured wages, dignity, and economic stability for rural households.
They raised demands including that job cards should not be deleted without Gram Sabha approval, work should be provided on demand, wage payments should be timely, muster rolls should be issued at the panchayat level, and social audits should be strengthened under the ‘Demand for Work Campaign’.
Strong concern was expressed that VB GRAM G could dilute the rights-based nature of MNREGA. Social organisations and Congress leaders agreed to oppose any weakening of the Act and to work towards restoring MNREGA in its original form through collective action.
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Demand for Work Campaign to Be Intensified Across Jharkhand
James Herenz of MNREGA Watch stressed the need to actively promote the Demand for Work Campaign, stating that it would increase employment opportunities in villages. Social activist Dayamani Barla demanded that the central government withdraw VB GRAM G and restore MNREGA fully.
Sandeep Dikshit said MNREGA has set a minimum wage benchmark and ensured dignified employment, warning that any dilution would harm workers’ rights.
Social activist Nikhil Dey, co-founder of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, said MNREGA has helped poor and marginalised rural communities escape debt bondage and exploitation. He emphasised that Congress workers must work on the ground with labourers, raise demands for work, ensure timely payments, and implement a clear action plan involving the government, party workers, and civil society.
State-Level Task Force and District Coordinators Announced
Jharkhand Congress in-charge K. Raju announced that every MLA would run a model Demand for Work Campaign in their constituency. He also informed that a state-level MNREGA Task Force would be formed and district MNREGA coordinators appointed. Training programmes, block-level dialogues, activation of social audit mechanisms, and linking self-help groups to the campaign were also planned.
Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh shared campaign data, stating that between February 2 and 5, 2026, a total of 1,74,245 people participated in the campaign across 4,080 panchayats. Of these, 1,03,158 people demanded work, 17,914 new job cards were issued, 40,602 workers completed e-KYC, and 39,593 new scheme applications were received. She added that 1,017.65 lakh person-days have been generated so far under MNREGA, with 52 percent job cards held by women.
At the conclusion of the meeting, social organisations reaffirmed their commitment to work with Congress to protect MNREGA and maintain its participatory and rights-based character.