Opposition Stages Protest over MNREGA as Delhi Unveils Historic Budget

Opposition MPs from Kerala, led by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, protested against MNREGA issues outside Parliament, citing delayed wages. Concurrently, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announced a transformative Rs 1 lakh crore budget, emphasizing significant allocations for women's schemes and infrastructure development, marking a 31.5% increase over the previous year.

Opposition MPs from Kerala, spearheaded by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, gathered outside Parliament on Tuesday to protest against issues related to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). The protest was also briefly joined by Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Congress MP KC Venugopal criticized the central government for failing to pay MNREGA workers in Kerala on time. According to Venugopal, the payments have been delayed beyond the 15-day window stipulated by the MGNRE Act, which mandates interest on late wages. He accused the central government of attempting to dismantle the MNREGA scheme without providing a satisfactory explanation.

On the same day, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented the national capital's budget for the year 2025-26, totaling Rs 1 lakh crore. Termed "historic" by CM Gupta, this budget aims to transform Delhi's economy and allocates significant funds for women's development programs and infrastructure enhancement, representing a 31.5% increase from the previous year.

(With inputs from agencies.)