The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) recently staged a powerful demonstration in Marakkanam, near Villupuram, pushing for the immediate release of long-overdue funds allocated to Tamil Nadu under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Spearheading the protest, D. Ravikumar, the Member of Parliament for Villupuram, highlighted a critical issue: Tamil Nadu has received less than half of the MGNREGS funds compared to last year. This severe reduction has left more than 5.12 lakh registered workers without their guaranteed 100 days of employment, significantly impacting their livelihoods.
Mr. Ravikumar further alleged that the BJP-led Central government has been systematically weakening the scheme, evidenced by a drastic cut in total man-days for the state. This deliberate reduction means numerous job cardholders across Tamil Nadu are struggling to find sufficient work, facing a direct threat to their financial stability and basic survival.
He urged the Centre to uphold the scheme’s original purpose: to provide dignified employment and essential financial security to the rural poor, ensuring they are not abandoned in their time of need.