Patna: The three main Left parties — CPI(ML),
CPM and
CPI — organised protests across the state against the Centre’s decision to introduce the VB-G-RAM-G programme to provide work to agricultural workers. The new programme is being described as a modified version of MGNREGA, which was introduced by the Congress-led UPA govt at the Centre in Feb 2005.
The marches and rallies were organised in the state following a nationwide call given by the Left parties, which maintained that the new programme was, in fact, aimed at rescinding MGNREGA. While the new programme was introduced during the recently concluded winter session of Parliament, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in a video statement, said her party had taken strong exception to the Centre’s decision and would chalk out its course of action on the issue.
In line with the nationwide call of the Left parties, CPI(ML), CPM and CPI in Patna, along with their frontal organisations, including those associated with agricultural workers, took out marches from the GPO roundabout, which culminated in a rally near the Patna Junction roundabout. Leaders of the respective parties addressed the rally.
They said MGNREGA embodied the largest national programme providing work on demand to millions of job-card holders across the country at a fixed wage rate, and had proved to be an effective mechanism to support livelihoods.
“However, due to the peculiar policy pursued by the Narendra Modi govt at the Centre, MGNREGA has already been made inert in several states. Now an attempt has been made by the central govt to completely do away with MGNREGA, which, in itself, is a direct attack on the rights of agricultural workers to work,” CPI(ML) said.
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Having done higher secondary from Sainik School Telaiya, Hazariba...
Read MoreHaving done higher secondary from Sainik School Telaiya, Hazaribagh (now in Jharkhand), graduated in history from Patna College. Started as a freelance journalist for Free Press Journal (Mumbai) from Patna, and then joined The Times of India, Patna, as a staff reporter, got promoted to senior reporter, and later, briefly functioned as news editor. In reporting, initially covered districts like Darbhanga and Bhagalpur on events and various aspects, and then from Patna, have covered state politics, political parties, elections, state assembly, government, cabinet, departments like finance, irrigation and a few others, also CM, occasionally PM's tours, and social issues. Have written two books -- first, Bihar in Messianic Times, second, The First Address, on the Governor House (Bihar), commissioned by the Response (Advertisement) wing of The Times Of India, Patna.
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