Pargat Singh says Punjab Government has provided only 26 days of employment under MGNREGA this year, and the daily wage is also lower than Haryana’s.
The spirit of the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas must not be diluted; systemic reforms are the real need.
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
MLA Pargat Singh has criticized the Punjab Government for convening a special session on MGNREGA, stating that merely passing a resolution of condemnation is not enough. He urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the AAP government to go to Delhi and directly confront the Central Government to prevent further harm to Punjab’s interests. “We will accompany the government to Delhi if needed,” he said, while also demanding that the ‘AAP’ government should convene a regular session rather than symbolic one-day special sessions.
Singh stated that the MGNREGA scheme, which provides livelihood to 12 crore workers, is a legacy of the Congress Party. Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh wanted its benefits to reach the poor across all sections of society. Initially, the scheme was fully funded by the Central Government, but the present BJP-led Central Government has changed its name and converted it into a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and States. State governments are finding it difficult to contribute their 40% share, resulting in an additional financial burden of ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 crore on the states.
He added that while many state governments are currently able to provide only 70 days of the mandated 100 days of employment, Punjab’s AAP government has managed to provide just 26 days of work under MGNREGA this year. Moreover, the daily wage rate in Punjab (₹346) is lower than Haryana’s ₹400, which is unjust to workers. He urged the Punjab Government to address this disparity.
Referring to the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pargat Singh said that 7 crore people left cities to return to villages, many never to go back. This exodus reduced the availability of cheap labour for corporate houses. Now, to appease the corporate sector, the Central Government appears determined to dismantle MGNREGA, ensuring easier access to low-cost labour for big business.
Pargat Singh also criticized the state government for avoiding full legislative sessions. “Holding a one-day special session is not the same as conducting a proper assembly session,” he said. Earlier, the government had promised fair time for everyone to speak, but later the Speaker allowed only one or two members per party to participate.
He reminded that during the Anandpur Sahib Assembly Session, he had warned that the Central Government would soon introduce five major bills, including the Education Bill and the Higher Education Bill, but the AAP government failed to protest them. On issues like BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board), their stance was also weak. “Passing resolutions and taking photographs are not enough—we must take legal action,” he asserted.
Pargat Singh urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to personally lead all MLAs to Delhi to express Punjab’s stand and protest at the national level. “All political parties will stand by the government if it genuinely defends Punjab’s interests,” he said. He added that the sacred spirit of the martyrdom of the four Sahibzadas must never be diluted, and warned the AAP government not to act as a “B-team of the BJP.” “BJP behaves as if India did not exist before 2014—they act like they alone built this nation,” he remarked. Lamenting the increasing social divisions, he said, “You have divided society along caste lines. Our own leaders are also responsible for the current situation of our society. Instead of self-praise, we must learn from history and strengthen the present.”
He emphasized that time is passing quickly and the system must function in a just and balanced way. “After our great Gurus, it was Maharaja Ranjit Singh who truly upheld the spirit of Punjab. That legacy is now fading. Punjab, which once extended from the Khyber Pass to Lahaul-Spiti, has now shrunk into a small state,” he added.