Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 13 (NationPress) The Congress party has ramped up its criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government concerning alterations to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). They are urging the Kerala Assembly to adopt a resolution that calls for the scheme's restoration to its original form and warning that the contentious amendments might eventually be rescinded due to public pressure.

During a protest organized by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) outside the Lok Bhavan, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal implored the Pinarayi Vijayan administration to take cues from the actions of Telangana and Karnataka.

Venugopal highlighted that the Telangana Assembly unanimously passed a resolution requesting the withdrawal of the new provisions, while Karnataka held a special Assembly session to discuss the matter.

He advocated for similar resolutions to be introduced in gram sabhas throughout Kerala.

Venugopal accused the Modi-led Union government of dismantling the core principles of the employment guarantee program through legislative changes that compromise the right to work.

He claimed that the amendments were forcibly pushed through Parliament without adequate discussion, shifted financial responsibilities to states, undermined decentralization by centralizing decision-making, and imposed biometric requirements designed to exclude workers.

In a jab at Chief Minister Vijayan, Venugopal questioned his ethical standing to protest against the Centre after allegedly endorsing the PM-SHRI scheme without the consent of INDIA bloc allies.

He dismissed criticisms from United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs, asserting that they have consistently advocated for Kerala's interests in Parliament, unlike their Left Democratic Front (LDF) counterparts.

Drawing comparisons to the repeal of the farm laws by the Union government, Venugopal stated that consistent public mobilization would compel the Centre to retract the MGNREGS amendments as well.

He alleged that renaming the scheme represented an attack on Gandhian values and was part of a larger agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Echoing these sentiments, KPCC President Sunny Joseph asserted that the BJP is leveraging its Parliamentary majority to 'suffocate' a program originally designed by the UPA to combat rural poverty and fulfill the Gandhian vision of Gram Swaraj.

Just as widespread protests led to the repeal of the farm laws, he maintained that public resistance would ensure the complete restoration of the employment guarantee scheme.