Shanmugam criticised the proposal to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme and to alter the funding pattern by reducing the Centre’s share to 60 per cent and increasing the States’ burden to 40 per cent, while retaining decision-making powers with the Union government. He warned that this would place severe financial strain on States, particularly non-BJP-ruled States, and ultimately hurt rural workers.

He also objected to provisions that, he said, diluted the legal guarantee of employment by making work subject to official discretion, thereby denying workers the right to demand jobs or unemployment allowance.

Calling for nationwide protests, he urged rural workers and beneficiaries to unite, drawing parallels with the agitation that led to the repeal of the farm laws. He said the CPM would lead sustained protests until the proposed amendments were withdrawn.

Shanmugam criticised the proposal to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme and to alter the funding pattern by reducing the Centre’s share to 60 per cent and increasing the States’ burden to 40 per cent, while retaining decision-making powers with the Union government. He warned that this would place severe financial strain on States, particularly non-BJP-ruled States, and ultimately hurt rural workers.

He also objected to provisions that, he said, diluted the legal guarantee of employment by making work subject to official discretion, thereby denying workers the right to demand jobs or unemployment allowance.

Calling for nationwide protests, he urged rural workers and beneficiaries to unite, drawing parallels with the agitation that led to the repeal of the farm laws. He said the CPM would lead sustained protests until the proposed amendments were withdrawn.