New Delhi- In a bold and unprecedented display of solidarity, over 4,700 NREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) workers from across India launched a unique campaign, sending one rupee each to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their collective demand is simple yet urgent: resume NREGA work in West Bengal, which has been on hold since December 2021, when the Central Government froze funding for the state.
The freeze, implemented under Section 27 of the Act, was triggered by alleged irregularities in West Bengal’s NREGA implementation. However, this action has left millions of rural workers without work and wages for nearly three years, leading to widespread economic distress, forced migration, and increasing poverty.
The protest where NREGA workers from across India sent one rupee each to Prime Minister Modi stands out for its powerful symbolism and rare form of dissent. Unlike traditional protests, this unique approach combines personal sacrifice with a direct call for accountability.
This act was a statement of frustration, solidarity, and defiance, saying that if the government cannot fund the NREGA program, the workers themselves would take on the responsibility.
The one-rupee contribution, though small in monetary value, carries immense significance. It highlights the desperation of workers who have been left without wages for almost three years, as well as their collective strength in standing up against government inaction. The symbolism of a minimal financial contribution from those who can least afford it, aimed at the highest office in the country, reflects the gravity of their demands and their creative approach to protest.
The NREGA Sangharsh Morcha spearheaded a nationwide postcard campaign where workers from multiple states wrote directly to the Prime Minister. Their message was clear: if the Union Government cannot release the NREGA budget for West Bengal, the workers of India will raise the money themselves. In addition to their one-rupee contributions, the workers’ postcards demanded the immediate resumption of NREGA work, which they rely on for their livelihoods.
Across the country, various workers’ unions and organizations contributed to this campaign.
In Bihar, over 800 postcards were sent by the Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan, Jan Vikas Shakti Sangathan, and Pravasi Mazdoor Sangathan.
From Uttar Pradesh, the Sangatin Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan dispatched more than 500 postcards.
Jharkhand’s Khadya Suraksha Jan Adhikar Manch sent 200 postcards.
Chhattisgarh’s Chhattisgarh Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan contributed over 500 postcards.
Gujarat had the largest participation, with over 2,500 postcards sent by the Anna Suraksha Adhikar Abhiyan.
In Andhra Pradesh, 100 postcards were sent by Ambedkarijame Punadi, and Telangana’s Dalit Bahujan Front also contributed 100 postcards.
The Central Government’s decision to halt funding has left West Bengal’s NREGA workers in dire straits. Despite the program being a lifeline for rural households, particularly during times of economic uncertainty, the freeze has deprived millions of work. With no wages coming in, many families have been forced to migrate in search of work, while others have faced increased hunger and malnutrition. There are also reports of rising suicide rates among NREGA workers, who have been unable to cope with the mounting pressures.
The workers, caught in the middle of administrative failings and alleged corruption, are demanding justice. While the Central Government justified the fund freeze by pointing to irregularities in NREGA implementation in the state, no credible investigation has been completed in the nearly three years since the freeze began. The workers argue that they are being unfairly punished for the mistakes of others, and they are now calling for accountability and the immediate release of funds.
On August 5, 2024, a 15-member delegation of worker representatives met with the Secretary of Rural Development, Shailesh Kumar, urging the government to release NREGA funds and restart work in West Bengal. Despite these efforts, the Union Minister for Rural Development has not yet met with the workers, further fueling their frustration.
Politicians from various parties have been approached, with Members of Parliament such as Dr. V. Sivadasan, Amra Ram, Raju Bista, Adv. Bikash Bhattacharya, Manish Tamang, Shashikanth Senthil, and Prakash Chik Baraik raising the issue in Parliament. However, no concrete solution has yet been provided.
In April 2024, the Calcutta High Court took action by forming a four-member committee to investigate the alleged irregularities in West Bengal’s NREGA program, responding to a petition filed by the Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity. While this investigation is a positive step, the workers argue that it should not come at their expense.
As of September 2024, more than 3,500 applications for NREGA work have been registered in West Bengal, underscoring the urgent need for the scheme’s resumption. In the meantime, these demands are being addressed through the state-sponsored ‘Karmashree’ employment program, but the scale is insufficient to meet the needs of the affected population.
The frustration of NREGA workers is becoming increasingly visible in the form of protests. On September 23, 2024, nearly 100 NREGA workers, led by the Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity, gathered at the BJP state headquarters in Kolkata for a ‘Gherao’ program. Although no senior BJP officials met with the protesters, assurances were made that their concerns would be addressed at the BJP state committee meeting on September 26.
The Kolkata protest is just one part of a nationwide movement. On September 28, hundreds of NREGA workers from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha gathered in Ranchi for a mass protest at the Raj Bhawan. Their demands were clear: the Central Government must roll back its "anti-labour, anti-poor" policies and ensure that NREGA is implemented in the true spirit of the law.
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