KSKTU to Hold State-Wide Protest on July 1 Against Centre's "VB-GRAM G" Scheme, Calls It Threat to MGNREGA

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union (KSKTU) will organise state-wide protests on July 1 against the central government's move to introduce the "VB-GRAM G" scheme in place of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Declaring that the right to guaranteed employment cannot be undermined, farm workers will stage demonstrations and dharnas outside central government offices across the state.

The union alleged that the central government is attempting to completely weaken the powers of gram sabhas and dismantle the employment guarantee scheme, which serves as the livelihood for crores of rural workers. The protest will be held under the slogans "Protect MGNREGA" and "Withdraw VB-GRAM G."

The union further alleged that the state government too has taken a stance supportive of the Centre's moves to undermine the scheme, pointing out that the Keralam's budget has significantly cut the funds allocated for paying wages to MGNREGA workers. Through such moves, it said, the central and state governments are together pushing rural livelihoods towards destitution. The KSKTU state committee appealed to all sections of the public to join this struggle for the survival of farm workers and other underprivileged communities.