Noida | February 13, 2026
Metropolitan Congress Committee Noida on Friday organised a “Save MGNREGA Foot March” in Noida to highlight concerns over the alleged weakening of employment rights for workers. The march began from the bamboo and drum market in Sector-8 and passed through Sectors 9, 11, 4, 5 and 10 before concluding at the designated endpoint.
The foot march was led by Noida Congress president Mukesh Yadav and saw participation from a large number of party workers and local residents. Participants raised slogans in support of labour rights and accused the central government of undermining the objectives of the employment guarantee programme.
Addressing the gathering, Congress leaders said the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was enacted to ensure livelihood security for workers, particularly those from economically weaker sections. However, they alleged that recent policies have reduced employment opportunities, delayed wage payments and weakened the overall implementation of the scheme.
Leaders claimed that under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party, workers’ rights were being systematically curtailed. They asserted that Congress would continue its struggle to protect labour interests and would not allow any dilution of welfare schemes meant for the poor.
The march was attended by Gautam Budh Nagar MGNREGA coordinator Salman Saeed, movement coordinator Dinesh Awana, former Noida Congress president Shahbuddin and senior leader Fire Singh Nagar, among others.
Several office-bearers from the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee and the minority wing also joined the march, along with Youth Congress representatives and grassroots workers. Speakers emphasised that MGNREGA was not merely a scheme but a crucial social safety net for millions of families.
Congress leaders concluded by appealing to citizens to support the movement and stand in solidarity with workers, warning that continued weakening of the scheme would have serious social and economic consequences.
