'Will observe January 30 as Employment Guarantee Protection Day'; protests will continue until employment guarantee scheme is restored to its earlier form, says Congress

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KPCC president Sunny Joseph MLA said that January 30, the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi, will be observed as Employment Guarantee Protection Day. This will be part of the third phase of protests against the BJP government, which he accused of sabotaging the employment guarantee scheme. Sunny Joseph was speaking after inaugurating the concluding ceremony of the day-and-night protest organised by the KPCC against the BJP government for undermining the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

He said the day-and-night protest was held as the second phase of the agitation, following earlier protests in front of Lok Bhavan, district headquarters and panchayat offices. He added that the protests will continue until the employment guarantee scheme is restored to its earlier form.

Sunny Joseph said that despite protesting through the night for the cause of mothers, none of the protesters felt tired, thirsty or hungry. He said the employment guarantee scheme was introduced by the UPA government to improve the living conditions of women. The scheme was designed to ensure income for the poor through manual labour and physical work.

He also said that the UPA government had written off agricultural loans worth Rs 80,000 crore. “The Congress is a movement that protects farmers, workers and the poor,” he said. Referring to the results of local body elections, he said the UDF had taken the lead in more than 100 Assembly segments. However, he said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had claimed victory in 110 seats, adding that it would be the UDF that would secure that many seats. He said the Congress is the party that openly opposes the anti-people policies of both the Centre and the Pinarayi government.

Organisers said the day-and-night protest, which saw the participation of thousands of employment guarantee workers, was a huge success. Food, including kanji, was prepared at the protest venue and served to participants during the night. KPCC leaders, including the president and working presidents, also stayed overnight at the protest venue.