Centralisation Weakens Panchayati Raj
Former Dharamshala Mayor Devendra Jaggi on Thursday strongly criticised the recent changes introduced by the Central Government in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), alleging that the amendments have severely weakened the scheme and diluted the spirit of Panchayati Raj and grassroots democracy.
Gram Sabha Powers Curtailed
Jaggi said the powers of Gram Sabhas (village assemblies) have been substantially reduced, with key decision-making authority shifted from villages to higher administrative levels. This centralisation, he added, has deprived villagers of their right to decide development priorities based on local needs, dealing a serious blow to rural self-governance.
Earlier System Enabled Local Development
Explaining the earlier framework, Jaggi said Gram Sabhas played a decisive role in planning and approving works under MGNREGA. Development proposals were finalised in village meetings, allowing the swift execution of small but essential works such as embankment construction, protection of agricultural land, kuccha roads, drainage systems, repair of village drains, and conservation of water resources.
Employment and Migration Impact
He noted that timely implementation of village-level works ensured immediate employment for labourers and significantly reduced distress migration from rural areas, especially during the agricultural lean season.
“Attack on Rural Democracy”
“Weakening the Gram Sabha is equivalent to weakening rural democracy and suppressing the voice of the common people,” Jaggi asserted.
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