Punjab CM Mann calls emergency cabinet meeting over MNREGA row

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): The conflict between the central and state governments in Punjab appears to be reaching a new level. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann suddenly summoned his ministers on Friday and called an emergency cabinet meeting tomorrow, Saturday, at 3 p.m. This crucial meeting, to be held at the Chief Minister's residence in Chandigarh, is expected to produce several major decisions, but its main agenda is believed to be opening a front against the central government. According to sources, the government's entire focus is on cornering the central government on the issue of renaming the MNREGA scheme.

In fact, discussions about the central government's plan to rename MNREGA (MGNREGA) to "Developed India - Live Ram Ji" have heated up Punjab politics. It is believed that in tomorrow's cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will officially approve calling a special session of the Assembly to register his protest and pass a resolution against this issue.

The Chief Minister has already announced that a special session will be convened in the second week of January, and its dates and outline are expected to be formally approved at tomorrow's meeting. Political circles are abuzz with talk that the Aam Aadmi Party government is preparing to launch a major political movement, portraying the issue as an attack on Punjab's rights and the federal structure.