Differently Abled Groups in Tamil Nadu Protest MGNREGA Renaming, Demand Higher Wages and More Work Days
Members of the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) held protests across Ramanathapuram district on Tuesday, condemning the Union government's decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G).
The protesters, many of whom are persons with disabilities, demanded that the government provide 100 per cent funding for the 100-day work scheme, guarantee 100 days of work to every individual holding a disability identity card, increase the work ceiling from 100 to 200 days, and raise the daily wage to ₹700.
As part of the protests, differently abled persons wore black bands and blocked the Ramanathapuram-Rameswaram highway. Police arrested 20 individuals in connection with that blockade.
In separate incidents, 123 persons, including 51 women, were arrested after blocking the road near the Mudukulathur bus stand. The protest was led by the association's district president, Rajesh.
Near the Kamuthi bus stand, 61 persons, including 17 women, were arrested for a road blockade. Another 27 persons, including seven women, were arrested near the Sikkal bus stand.
TARATDAC district secretary M. Rajkumar stated that the renaming of MGNREGA undermines the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and that the scheme's core provisions must be strengthened rather than rebranded. He called on the government to address the long-standing demands of the differently abled community, who rely on the scheme for livelihood support.
The police have registered cases against the arrested individuals, and they were later released on bail. The protests highlight growing discontent among rural workers and disability rights groups over the central government's recent changes to the flagship employment guarantee programme.
MGNREGA, enacted in 2005, guarantees 100 days of unskilled manual work per year to rural households. The renaming to VB-G RAM G was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, with the government stating it reflects a renewed focus on rural development and livelihood security.
