CPI(M) demands continuation of old MGNREGA scheme

CPI(M) activists in Ongole demand the continuation of the old MGNREGA scheme to ensure financial security for rural communities.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) activists on Friday (January 30, 2026) took a pledge to protect the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue near Bapuji Market Complex in Ongole on Friday.

The protest was organised on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary by the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Workers Union. Union’s Deputy General Secretary R. Venkata Rao warned that the protest would continue across the State until the scheme is implemented as usual.

He said that Narendra Modi-led government is trying to put an end to the scheme which has prevented migration of the country's poor and provided them financial security. He reminded that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also appreciated this scheme as a key driver of financial inclusion in rural India.

He further said, “In the old scheme, the State government allocated 10 per cent and the central government allocated 90 per cent of the funds, but now it is impossible to change it to 40 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. If the allocation of employment guarantee works is completely under the control of the Central government, the State government will be in a helpless position where it cannot do anything, and the development of the State will be hampered to some extent.”

Prakasam District president of the Union Sayyed Moula Ali criticised the Opposition party in the State for remaining silent on the issue.