Congress holds massive rally in Mansa for restoration of MGNREGA

Congress holds massive rally in Mansa for restoration of MGNREGA

Party promises to restore MGNREGA with enhanced wages

After ditching labourers, Modi has now betrayed farmers : Bhagel

BJP trying to befool people with claims of additional workdays : Warring

BJP betrayed both; kisan and jawan: Bajwa

Mansa 17 February ( PDL ) : The Congress held a massive public rally under the ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ here today which was attended by thousands of people including the MGNREGA workers.

Speaking on the occasion, the Congress leaders alleged that after ditching the labourers by scrapping the MGNREGA, the BJP government had betrayed the farmers through the Indo-US trade deal, which will destroy the agriculture economy in the country and Punjab will be the worst hit. Addressing the rally, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress general secretary in charge of Punjab, Bhupsh Bhagel said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had completely surrendered before the US President Donald Trump. He wondered what was Modi’s compulsion to surrender the country’s interests before the US, pointing out that while the US will charge 18 percent tariff on Indian goods, India will be charging no tariff under the ‘Zero Tariff’ agreement. He said, no Prime Minister before Modi, from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to Dr Manmohan Singh had allowed the agriculture sector to be opened for the foreigners and Modi had done it which will destroy the farmers.

Referring to the MGNREGA, Bhagel said, Modi will be forced to reverse the decision and restore it. He said, in case Modi does not do it, the Congress once it forms government in Punjab in 2027 will restore it. Similarly, he added, when the Congress will form government at the centre in 2029 with Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister, not only will the MGNREGA be restored, but the wages will also be enhanced. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said that Modi was trying to fool the people of the country by claiming that the workdays under new law have been increased to 125 days a year. He pointed out, when the government was not able to provide work for 50 days even, how will it be able to provide work for 125 days.

The PCC president also lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party government for its failures and betraying people on the promises it had made. He reminded them of the Rs 1000 promise that the AAP had made. He said, may be they will start paying now. But, he pointed out, the AAP should pay Rs 60,000 for the five year period instead of paying it for the remaining few months left of the government. Warring also referred to the “anti drug campaign” of the AAP government saying it had completely failed. He said that hundreds of crores of rupees of the government was spent on the political rally by misusing the government funds. He also referred to the serving DGP and the Chief Secretary made to attend the political rally which was unprecedented. The PCC president warned that the BJP wanted the law and order situation to deteriorate in Punjab so that it could impose Governor’s Rule in the state and rule by proxy.

Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha said that the Modi government had betrayed all sections of the society particularly people of Punjab. He pointed out, Punjabis are known for serving in the defence forces and agriculture. He said the BJP government has hit the Punjabis on both counts, “kisan and jawan”. He said, due to the “Agnipath Scheme” recruitment from Punjab has gone down. Now, he said, with the trade deal, Punjabi farmers will be severely hit. He also criticized the state government for misuse of the official machinery. Referring to yesterday’s public meeting of the party, he said, it was unprecedented that the DGP of the state was made to address the rally while in uniform. Among those present included former Chief Minister Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Vijay Inder Singla, Dr Amar Singh, Balkaur Singh, Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, Vikram Mofar, Suraj Thakur, Hardayal Kambhoj and others.