Congress Alleges Centre Attempting to Dilute MGNREGS, Launches Padayatra in Sullia
Mangalore Today News Network
Sullia, Feb 9, 2026: Former minister Jayaprakash Hegde on Monday alleged that the Central government is attempting to dilute and eventually wind up the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) by introducing amendments and changing its name.
He was speaking after flagging off the NREGA Bachao Sangram Padayatra organised by the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee at Sullia, protesting the amendments and proposed changes to the scheme.
Hegde said the Centre has reduced its financial contribution and shifted the burden onto State governments with the intention of gradually discontinuing the scheme. “It is unfortunate that the MPs elected by us are not raising their voices against this. The Modi government came to power promising to provide two crore jobs every year. In 12 years, it should have created 24 crore jobs. Instead, it has not only failed to create employment but is also taking away existing jobs,” he alleged.
Earlier, Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee president K. Harish Kumar, in his introductory address, said the padayatra was organised to demand the rollback of amendments to NREGA, which has been a crucial support system for rural communities. He said the UPA government had introduced the scheme to provide security to the rural poor and daily wage workers by guaranteeing 100 days of employment, or wages for 100 days if work could not be provided. He alleged that the Centre was making efforts to gradually discontinue the scheme, which had also benefited gram panchayats by providing substantial funds and facilitating the implementation of various development works.
Sullia Block Congress president P.C. Jayarama welcomed the gathering. Legislative Council member Ivan D’Souza, former MLA J.R. Lobo, KPCC general secretaries R. Padmaraj Poojary, T.M. Shaheed Tekkil, Mamatha Gatti and M.S. Mohammed, District President of the Guarantee Implementation Committee Bharat Mundodi, Arebhashe Academy president Sadananda Mavaji and several Congress leaders were present.
The padayatra, which began in Sullia on February 9, will continue till February 12 and conclude at Mulki. Prior to the launch, party leaders offered floral tributes at the Gandhi statue at Gandhinagar in Sullia.