Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has strongly criticized the Congress party, accusing them of attempting to ensure the continuation of corruption within the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Chouhan's remarks come in response to the Congress's announcement of the 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram', a three-phase agitation against the newly enacted Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB-G RAM G).
Chouhan alleges that the Congress party's DNA is inherently linked to corruption and that their opposition to the VB-G RAM G Act is merely a facade to protect corrupt practices that thrived under the MGNREGA. He argues that MGNREGA had become synonymous with corruption during previous regimes, citing instances where machines replaced laborers, contractors operated under the guise of workers, and funds were illicitly siphoned off. Chouhan highlighted social audit findings, which revealed over 10 lakh complaints recorded by Gram Sabhas, including instances of the same roads being constructed repeatedly, embezzlement of funds in the name of cleaning canals and roadsides, and elderly individuals over 80 years old being falsely recorded as laborers.
Chouhan defended the VB-G RAM G Act, asserting that it is designed to address the shortcomings of MGNREGA and ensure more effective and transparent rural development. He refuted claims that the new act would reduce employment opportunities for workers, emphasizing that it strengthens labor interests by increasing employment assurance to 125 days, providing stronger provisions for unemployment allowance, and imposing penalties for delayed wage payments. Furthermore, he stated that the VB-G RAM G Act empowers Gram Sabhas and Panchayats by granting them decision-making power, thereby promoting decentralized and transparent governance.
Comparing the financial allocations, Chouhan pointed out that over Rs 8.48 lakh crore has been allocated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure, while approximately Rs 2 lakh crore was allocated during the UPA years, questioning whether durable assets were created during the latter period. He also announced that in the next financial year, Rs 1,51,282 crore would be allocated for the scheme, with the Centre's share being more than Rs 95,600 crore.
Chouhan's statements also addressed the absence of Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, during the debate on the VB-G RAM G Act in the Lok Sabha. He criticized the Congress for allegedly misleading people about the renaming of MGNREGA to VB-G RAM G and accused them of disrupting parliamentary proceedings instead of engaging in constructive discussions.
The VB-G RAM G Act, which replaces MGNREGA, aims to restructure the rural employment framework with increased guaranteed employment days, capped funding, seasonal pauses, and technology-driven monitoring. While MGNREGA guaranteed 100 days of wage employment, the new bill increases it to 125 days per rural household annually. Unlike MGNREGA, where the Centre covered the full cost of wages, VB-G RAM G introduces a cost-sharing arrangement between the Centre and states, with general category states financing 40% of all components.
