MGNREGA Name Change Row, whose full name is Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, has been a huge support for the village poor and labourers. But the working style of the BJP government suggests that they rely more on name change than work.
Sometimes there are attempts to change the name of the scheme, sometimes there are games of changing the boards and posters—but the situation on the ground remains the same. That is why people say today, work is someone’s, name is someone’s.
The situation of MGNREGA Name Change Row in rural areas has deteriorated. Workers go to panchayat and block offices every day in the hope of getting jobs but they do not get the jobs on time. Even if they find work somewhere, wages are stuck for months. Everything appears right on paper, but the reality is quite the opposite. The workers are still not getting the right price for their sweat.
Whether it is Bhojpur, Mithila or Magadha—the same complaint comes from every region. Earlier, 100 days of employment was relied upon, now it is limited to government reports. Forced, poor workers migrate to the cities, leave their families, and stop their children’s education. With all this, the public is asking—if there is a plan, where is the work?
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The BJP government is also accused of simply changing the names of schemes that were already in place to take credit. The scheme is old, the benefits are few, but the promotion is renewed. The government has focused on changing identity rather than on the real problem.
Today, the government needs to leave the politics of names and focus on work. MNREGA workers should get full work, timely wages and the opportunity to live with dignity. Unless the government makes its mark with work, it is difficult to gain the trust of the people.
