Contractual officers and employees working under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) have launched a protest at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, demanding permanent government employment, an immediate halt to illegal recruitment through private companies, implementation of the principle of equal pay for equal work, and approval of a proper staffing structure. On February 11, 2026, Shri Ashokrao Ramchandra Alhat, Founder and National President of the Janhit Lokshahi Party, personally visited Azad Maidan and extended his full support to the ongoing protest. He also submitted an official letter of support to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde, highlighting the demands of all MGNREGA contractual officers and employees across the state. Shri Ashokrao Alhat encouraged the protesting employees, boosted their morale, and provided guidance regarding their ongoing struggle. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, several contractual positions have been created across Maharashtra, including District MIS Coordinators, Programme Managers, Assistant Programme Officers, Panel Technical Officers, and Clerks-cum-Data Entry Operators. Representatives of the state-level employees’ organization, including State President Shri Rohan Pawar and Core Committee members Shri Satish Waghade, Shri Ashish Pantawane, Shri Deepak Tambe, Shri Vishal Awad, and Shri Durgesh, along with several officers and employees from different parts of Maharashtra, gathered at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, to participate in the protest. Due to the large-scale participation of contractual officers and employees working under the Employment Guarantee Scheme, work across the state has remained suspended for the past 12 days. Despite repeatedly submitting their demands to district-level officials and public representatives across Maharashtra, the contractual employees have not received a satisfactory response. Consequently, they have continued their protest at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. Under MGNREGA, contractual officers and employees have been appointed through various government offices at district, taluka, and village levels. These employees have repeatedly demanded regularization of their employment and permanent government service. However, despite raising these demands for the past 15 to 17 years, their concerns have continued to be ignored by the government. The Janhit Lokshahi Party has strongly supported the employees’ demands and called for justice, job security, equal pay for equal work, and a fair employment policy. Through this initiative, Shri Ashokrao Ramchandra Alhat has demonstrated the party’s commitment to standing with ordinary citizens, government scheme employees, and underprivileged sections of society. The Janhit Lokshahi Party has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting people’s rights and raising its voice against injustice.
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