Jagan slams Government over neglect of rural employment scheme

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched a sharp attack on the TDP-led coalition government, alleging that it has neglected the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a scheme he described as the backbone of the rural economy.

In a strongly worded statement, Jagan said the alleged lack of focus on the employment guarantee programme has led to a visible decline in rural incomes and purchasing power, thereby affecting the broader state economy. He emphasised that MGNREGA has historically played a crucial role in ensuring livelihood security for rural households, particularly during periods of economic stress.

“Earlier, Andhra Pradesh consistently ranked among the top-performing states in implementing the scheme. However, in the last two years under the TDP coalition, the state has slipped significantly across all key indicators,” he said. Jagan pointed to reduced labour budget utilisation, a decline in the number of participating households, and lower overall expenditure under the scheme as evidence of weakening implementation.

According to him, the ripple effects of this slowdown are already being felt across sectors. He noted that reduced income in rural areas has led to weaker consumption patterns, which in turn is impacting tax collections, including GST and sales tax revenues. “When rural demand declines, the entire economic cycle slows down. That is precisely what we are witnessing today,” he remarked.

Jagan also accused the government of prioritising political and financial interests over public welfare. “The ruling coalition appears more focused on corruption and accumulation of wealth, rather than addressing the pressing concerns of the people,” he alleged.

Calling for immediate corrective measures, the YSRCP chief urged the government to restore focus on welfare-driven governance and strengthen the implementation of MGNREGA. He stressed that revitalising the scheme is essential not only for supporting rural livelihoods but also for stabilising the state’s economic momentum.