Group of economists writes to PM Modi requesting not to dilute NREGA
New Delhi, Oct 14 (IBNS): At least 28 leading economists wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying they fear that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to dilute the rural jobs guarantee scheme introduced in by the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
The letter said: “We are writing to express our deep concern about the future of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)…It is alarming to hear of multiple moves (some of them going back to the preceding government) to dilute or restrict the provisions of the Act. Wages have been frozen in real terms, and long delays in wage payments have further reduced their real value.”
The signatories to the letter included names like Pranab Bardhan of Berkeley, development economist Jean Dreze, Maitreesh Ghatak of London School of Economics, Dilip Abreau of Princeton, Anirban Kar of the Delhi School of Economics and Ritika Khera of IIT Delhi.
The rural jobs guarantee scheme was introduced in 2005 by the previous government.
The economists further said that about 50 million households were getting job benefits each year at a relatively small cost and there have been “wide-ranging social benefits” too owing to the scheme.
Top Headlines
-
News
India, China have completed disengagement: Reports
October 31, 2024
-
News
Uzbekistan parties supporting President Mirziyoyev win parliamentary elections as country undergoes reforms
October 29, 2024
-
News
Sanction Indian diplomats, ban RSS: anti-India Canadian leader Jagmeet Singh goes ballistic
October 16, 2024
-
News
Hezbollah drone attack on military base kills four Israeli soldiers
October 14, 2024
-
News
Trudeau govt's vote bank politics: India toughens stand against Canada after latest tirade over Nijjar killing
October 14, 2024
-
News
Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which claimed responsibility for Baba Siddique's murder, sends Salman Khan a message
October 14, 2024
-
News
RG Kar: Bengal junior doctors to hold protest march to Raj Bhavan on 10th day of hunger strike today
October 14, 2024
-
News
Tamil Nadu derailment: 19 injured in Darbhanga Bagmati Express collision with goods train, 13 coaches jump track
October 12, 2024
-
News
Distasteful and disgraceful: Amit Shah on Mallikarjun Kharge's 'won't die till Modi is removed from power' remark
September 30, 2024
-
News
Keep Gods away from politics: Supreme Court slams Andhra govt over Tirupati laddoo row
September 30, 2024