MGNREGA workers to organise mass protests over grievances

A state-level meeting of the MGNREGA Workers’ Union, led by Baldev Singh Pandori, was held in Jalandhar today, drawing MGNREGA workers from various villages. A report compiled by Deepak Hoshiarpur detailing the challenges and pressing issues faced by workers was discussed at length.

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While the MGNREGA scheme was acknowledged as beneficial for the poorest families, including Dalits and women in rural areas, workers alleged that ongoing efforts by the Centre and the state government—supported by entrenched red tape—were aimed at sabotaging the scheme in favour of corporate interests. Participants raised concerns including wrongful dismissals, mistreatment and systemic corruption.

In light of these discussions, and following a proposal from Gurnam Singh Daud, General Secretary of the Dehati Mazdoor Sabha (Punjab), it was decided to organise three large regional gatherings to press for a resolution to the workers’ demands.

Leaders announced that workers from the Majha and Doaba regions will participate in a gathering at Desh Bhagat Yadgar, Jalandhar, on July 6. Similarly, workers from Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot, Muktsar, Fazilka, Ferozepur and Moga will gather at Teachers’ Home, Bathinda, on July 11. On July 13, workers from Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Barnala, Ropar and Mohali will convene in Patiala.

To ensure the success of these gatherings, district-level meetings and mobilisation campaigns would be launched across villages, leaders stated.

Pargat Singh Jamarai and Dharminder Singh, General Secretary of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Naujawan Sabha (Punjab), endorsed the proposals and pledged full support. Other attendees who expressed their views included Prakash Singh Nandgarh (Bathinda), Charanjit Singh Thammuwal and Satpal Singh Sahota (Jalandhar), Harpal Singh Jagatpur (Nawan Shahr), Narinder Singh Rathod, Karam Singh Pandori, Sarpanch Meena Kumari (Tarn Taran), Sarpanch Pralahad Singh Niyal (Patiala), Gurjit Singh and Kuldeep Singh Rathod.

The Joint Platform of Public Organisations (JPPO) also declared its intention to join the state convention at Desh Bhagat Yadgar, Jalandhar, on June 21 and pledged to support the nationwide strike scheduled for July 9.

The meeting concluded with strong condemnation of the ‘anti-worker notification’ issued by the Bhagwant Mann-led state government and a demand for its immediate withdrawal.