Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi (VP)
New Delhi, Jan 5: Ever since the Narendra Modi government assumed power at the Centre a decade ago, a significant portion of the population has reportedly suffered greatly due to its perceived pro-rich and pro-corporate policies.
This affected group comprises India's poor and destitute, numbering in the billions. The recent Central government decision to enforce the Aadhaar-based payment system (ABPS) as mandatory for MGNREGA payments has been labeled an "assault" on the rural employment guarantee scheme by opposition parties, further exacerbating the plight of the poor.
The government argues that out of the 25.25 crore registered workers, only 14.35 crore are eligible, having worked at least one day in the previous three years. However, the opposition contends that around 12.7% of workers, approximately 1.8 crore, lack ABPS and will consequently be ineligible for MGNREGA work.
MGNREGA has served as a lifeline for rural poor communities, particularly during periods of high distress caused by unemployment. It has enabled them to earn enough to sustain themselves and their families, preventing starvation. Over the past decade, there have been subtle attempts to reduce funding for this job scheme, disproportionately impacting the rural poor.
Despite its limitations, MGNREGA remains a beacon of hope for the most disadvantaged, who live day to day, hoping for a brighter future. Enforcing unknown rules that strip a significant portion of these vulnerable workers of their means of living is perceived as highly insensitive. Subjecting the common man and the poor to hardship has become a recurring theme for those in power, from the long queues during demonetization to the failure to control the prices of essential commodities like onions.
Prices of food grains and pulses are skyrocketing, with minimal government intervention, forcing citizens to dip into their hard-earned savings to make ends meet. Adding to the woes of MGNREGA beneficiaries, the government has been deleting a substantial number of job cards under the pretext of preventing scams.
As per data presented in the Lok Sabha by the Rural Development Ministry, over 2.18 crore job cards were deleted in 2022-23, affecting over 5.48 crore workers, marking a 267 percent increase over 2021-22. In 2023-24, over 67.57 lakh job cards were deleted. Basic necessities such as a couple of meals a day, a roof over one's head, and a job to sustain a household are desires shared by every Indian. By imposing more restrictive rules for a life-saving scheme like MGNREGA, the government appears to be jeopardizing the fundamentals of the existence of the underprivileged.
While there's nothing wrong with aspiring for a $5 trillion economy or providing incentives for corporate growth, it is imperative to protect the poor from the challenges of the times, considering India is still a developing country. High levels of unemployment and malnourishment persist, necessitating welfare schemes and interventions to bring smiles back to the faces of commoners.
The poor deserve their fair share of the benefits of development, and by imposing stringent requirements for a scheme like MGNREGA, the government may be neglecting the desperate pleas for basic necessities from this vulnerable section of society. It is worth reflecting on Mahatma Gandhi's enduring principle: "Recall the face of the poorest and weakest man you have seen, and ask yourself if this step you think about is going to be of any use to him."