YSRCP seeks referral of Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Bill to Select Committee or JPC

New Delhi, Dec 17:YSR Congress Party MP YS Avinash Reddy on Wednesday urged the Union government in the Lok Sabha to refer the proposed Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Bill to a Select Committee or a Joint Parliamentary Committee, stating that such scrutiny is essential to protect the guaranteed employment rights of crores of rural poor families. He cautioned that in its present form, the bill could seriously weaken the legal assurance of employment provided under MGNREGA.

Participating in the debate, the YSRCP MP said MGNREGA has been a vital livelihood security scheme that guarantees employment as a statutory right to rural households. He warned that any dilution of this right would create insecurity and confusion among rural workers who depend on the scheme for survival.

He pointed out that under the existing MGNREGA framework, the Centre bears 90 percent of the cost while states contribute only 10 percent. In contrast, the proposed bill reduces the Centre’s share to 60 percent and raises the state’s share to 40 percent. He further noted that the Centre’s contribution would be reimbursed only after states first deposit their full share, placing a severe financial burden on fiscally stressed states.

While the bill proposes increasing guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125, the YSRCP MP said this would remain only on paper as many states would be unable to mobilise the higher contribution. Citing Andhra Pradesh, he said the state’s average annual MGNREGA expenditure of around Rs 8,000 crore would now require a state contribution of nearly Rs 3,200 crore, which is practically unviable.

Stressing that guaranteed employment could become uncertain and unguaranteed, the YSRCP MP reiterated the need for wider consultations through a Select Committee or Joint Parliamentary Committee involving state governments and local bodies, to ensure the rights of the rural poor are protected and strengthened.