New Delhi

Demandingthe repeal of the proposed Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission - Gramin (VB-G RAM G), activists and workers’ organisations on Wednesday announced protests against the new scheme from July 1.

Addressing a press conference here, members of the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, agricultural workers’ unions and labour rights groups claimed that an analysis of the government’s own data showed the promised 125 days of employment under the proposed scheme was neither financially backed nor administratively feasible. The draft rules released by the Centre expose the “shrinking employment guarantee” under the scheme, they alleged, adding that “The draft rules continue the opaque erasure of MGNREGA.”

They further alleged that the proposed framework centralises powers with the Centre while reducing the effective employment guarantee available to rural workers. According to an analysis by the activists, no major state would be able to generate even half of the promised 125 days of employment per active job card in the proposed interim allocations. “This law destroys the spirit of the rural employment guarantee act... There is already a downward trend in employment generated,” activist Nikhil Dey said.

“The burden will be on the states, and the push would become not to provide employment because the states will have to bear the expenditure,” he said. All India Agricultural Workers Union General Secretary B Venkat said they would hold protests at every village against the new scheme.

“From July 1, nationwide demonstrations would be held at the village, block, panchayat and ward level. We will also hold some protests in Delhi,” he said, adding that ‘jail bharo’ campaigns would also be held along with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). They will also approach Opposition parties to raise their issues.

According to figures released by groups, Andhra Pradesh would be able to generate only about 42 person days per active job card under the proposed allocation, while Chhattisgarh would generate 39 person days, Bihar 31, Karnataka 26, Madhya Pradesh 26 and Uttar Pradesh 28. Maharashtra would be able to generate only about 14 person days per active job card, they claimed.

The groups said the gap between the promised employment guarantee and actual allocations translated into massive funding shortfalls for states.

Based on their calculations, Madhya Pradesh would require an additional Rs 31,013 crore to provide 125 days of employment per active job card, while Rajasthan would need Rs 27,212 crore, Uttar Pradesh Rs 27,987 crore, Maharashtra Rs 22,549 crore, Karnataka Rs 17,481 crore and Bihar Rs 15,939 crore.