The Nagaland Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee (NPMCC) today held an executive and organizational meeting on the theme “Save MGNREGA” at Congress Bhavan, Dimapur, which was attended by Mahila Congress leaders, activists, and members from across the state.

The session was chaired by Shikali Swu, General Secretary of NPMCC, and commenced with an invocation by Neojila Yim, Vice President of NPMCC.

In her address, Neojila Yim emphasized the critical role of MGNREGA in securing livelihoods for rural and tribal women in Nagaland. She highlighted how the scheme is not merely a welfare measure but a legal right to employment and dignity. She expressed deep concern over the systematic weakening of MGNREGA by the central government, which has led to delayed wage payments, reduced workdays, and exclusion of the most vulnerable women from the workforce.

The meeting also featured speeches by Kihoni Awomi, President of Dimapur District Mahila Congress, and other constituency Mahila presidents, who shared ground-level reports of how women in Nagaland are facing economic distress due to the erosion of MGNREGA.

In her address, special guest and keynote speaker, Lhingkim Haokip, General Secretary of All India Mahila Congress and Incharge Northeast, reiterated that MGNREGA is a constitutional right, not a government favor. She criticized the Modi government for undermining the scheme through inadequate budgeting, payment delays, and administrative hurdles that disproportionately affect women workers.

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Haokip declared that the All India Mahila Congress, along with its state units, will launch a nationwide movement to defend MGNREGA, demand timely wage payments, ensure adequate budgetary allocations, and resist any dilution of the Act.

The NPMCC resolved that they would organize grassroots awareness campaigns on MGNREGA right; document and escalate cases of wage delays and work denial; mobilize women across districts to protest peacefully and democratically; and engage with MPs and MLAs to raise the issue in Parliament and the State Assembly.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Sentila Imchen, Vice President of NPMCC, followed by a press conference and light refreshments.

The NPMCC said it stands united with women workers across India in the fight to protect MGNREGA and secure economic justice, dignity, and empowerment for every woman.