Headlines
MNREGA played key role in rural development: CPI
New Delhi, July 3 With the Socio Economic and Caste Census revealing that 75 percent of rural households have the highest earning member with a salary less than Rs.5,000, CPI leader D. Raja said even this could not be possible if there was no rural employment guarantee act.
The rural employment guarantee act - Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) - was launched in 2006, when Left parties were supporting the ruling United Progressive Alliance.
"This government should not try to use these figures to say MNREGA is not effective. It was because of the scheme that even this income was recorded," Raja told IANS. "The farmers are in distress. Agriculture is not generating money. The situation is worse for the farm labourers," he said.
"There is unprecedented inequality in rural and urban income. This forces people to come to cities to work as labourers. The MNREGA only helped contain this migration," the Communist leader said.
Raja blamed it on the "neo-liberal" and pro-corporate government policies. "The poor keeps getting poorer," he said.
Raja also expressed apprehension that the government might use this as an excuse to further cut funds to MNREGA. "We needed to protect agriculture," he said.
The findings of the Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011 for Rural India were released on Friday that also showed only 8.29 percent of the rural households reported a member who was drawing more than Rs.10,000 per month.
The census covered all the 640 districts in India.
6 hours ago
PM Modi offers 'One Earth' India's expertise in eradicating poverty, bridging digital divide
10 hours ago
VP Harris to Unveil New Economic Policies to Boost Wealth and Incentives
10 hours ago
Polls Indicate Kamala Harris Closing Gap on Trump as Public Sentiment Improves
11 hours ago
US Envoy Eric Garcetti Highlights Shared Commitment to Cultural Heritage with Return of Antiquities to India
11 hours ago
US Focuses on Strengthening Ties with Sri Lanka, Congratulates Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Election Win
11 hours ago
No Ocean Can Distance You from India: PM Modi Tells Indian Diaspora in US
11 hours ago
Trump Declares No Fourth Presidential Run if He Loses 2024 Election
13 hours ago
PM Modi, Kuwaiti Crown Prince discuss ways to add vigour to bilateral ties
13 hours ago
At diaspora event, PM Modi projects India as confident emergent power, accelerator of peace
13 hours ago
Shehnaaz Gill turns heads with striking photoshoot in chic white dress
13 hours ago
‘Laapataa Ladies’, and the legacy of Aamir Khan Productions with India’s official Oscar submissions
13 hours ago
Israel to intensify strikes against Hezbollah: IDF chief
13 hours ago
Kiran Rao on ‘Laapataa Ladies’: Great privilege to be selected from among such amazing Indian films