Lapang demands more funds to erase MGNREGA deficit

New Delhi: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee chief D.D. Lapang on Friday demanded more funds for Northeastern states, particularly Meghalaya, for smooth functioning of the UPA’s flagship MGNREGA programme.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the PCC presidents and AICC general secretaries convened by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi here, Lapang said at present about a dozen states including Meghalaya, Assam and Nagaland have a negative balance of MGNREGA funds for the current financial year. This has resulted in not only pending payment of wages of workers but is also leading to denial of jobs to many in need, he argued.
The states also highlighted the need for the Centre to release more funds for the smooth functioning of the MGNREGA, unless the Union Ministry of Finance immediately acts on a pending plea by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
In his speech, the Congress deputy chief said his party would not let Prime Minister Narendra Modi run a government that acts only in the interests of three or four industrialists and is anti-labour.
“We will put pressure on the government so that they pay attention to poor people and the farmers,” the Congress VP said.
Rahul also accused PM Modi of ‘making excuses’ for not being able to deliver on his promises.
He also demanded that industries and social welfare schemes should get priority.