Congress proclaims that it’s going to:Launch a nationwide marketing campaign Opposition chief Rahul Gandhi, who has been campaigning since January 5 in opposition to the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, which changed the UPA-era MGNREGA Employment Assure Scheme, mentioned on Saturday that the choice to abolish MGNREGA was taken straight by the Prime Minister’s Workplace with out consulting the involved ministers or the Cupboard.
Rahul Gandhi, briefing Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and reporters after a gathering of the Congress Working Committee on the celebration’s technique on the problem of MGNREGA being changed by the VB-G RAM G Act, mentioned that scrapping the scheme would have an hostile influence on the agricultural financial system.
Reacting to his remarks, Union Rural Improvement Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan rejected the allegations as “purely political” and mentioned that regardless of being in energy, the Congress lacks any intention or coverage to strengthen the agricultural employment assure scheme. He known as the VB-G RAM G Act “the long run.”
Rahul Gandhi mentioned, “I’ve heard that the choice (to abolish MGNREGA) was taken straight by the PMO with out consulting the involved ministers or the cupboard. You perceive the state of affairs. This can be a one-man present. Narendra Modiji is doing what he desires. All of the income will go to some billionaires… This system will collapse and can have a unfavorable influence on the native financial system.”
He mentioned MGNREGA is not only a coverage however a rights-based idea and billions of individuals within the nation obtain the minimal wage because the legislation acts like a benchmark for cost to staff.
“MGNREGA used to offer political participation, funding and help to the third tier, the panchayati raj system. This can be a direct assault on the rights-based idea. And it’s an assault on the states and the federal construction. The funds which can be taken away might be taken away by the Heart. This can be a focus of energy and funds. This can hurt the nation and the poor. It is going to harm the poor,” he mentioned.
Kharge mentioned the celebration will lead ‘MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan’ throughout the nation from January 5.
Whereas the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 will exchange the UPA-era MGNREGA with President’s assent, the Congress desires to maintain the problem alive and mentioned the following steps within the CWC assembly.
“Individuals are indignant over the abrogation of MGNREGA. The federal government should face the results,” Kharge mentioned.
“We stand united in preventing for the rights of rural staff to dignity, employment, wages and well timed cost, and we’ll shield the rights of demand-based employment and gram sabhas,” he mentioned.
The celebration eliminated Mahatma Gandhi’s title from MGNREGA and mentioned it was democratically against the “conspiracy” to “flip staff’ rights into charity”.
Referring to the cost-sharing clause between the Heart and state governments below the VB-G RAM G Act, Kharge mentioned states would bear further expenditure burden and mentioned this was a unilateral choice taken with out session.
“This legislation was launched to oppress the poor. We’ll battle in opposition to it within the streets and in Congress.”
On the CWC assembly, Congress leaders took oath to guide the ‘MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan’ from January 5. Applications, gatherings, and public conferences might be held throughout the nation beginning January fifth. Officers mentioned detailed plans for the protest had been drawn up by Congress member Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who didn’t attend Saturday’s assembly as a result of “private causes”.
Launching a counterattack in opposition to the Congress, Shivraj Singh Chouhan mentioned, “This is similar Congress that added Mahatma Gandhi’s title for electoral good points. This is similar Congress that on occasion lower MGNREGA’s funds… and froze wages. At the moment, Congress leaders are weeping crocodile tears.”
“At the moment, know-how, transparency, and well timed funds are being leveraged to get cash straight into staff’ accounts, which Congress views as an assault,” he mentioned.
Chouhan mentioned employment has grow to be “extra sturdy” below the VB-G RAM G Act, including that the variety of working days has elevated from 100 to 125 days.
He mentioned the brand new legislation additionally has provisions to offer unemployment advantages if a job isn’t offered inside a stipulated interval and wages are delayed.
“The powers of gram savas and panchayats have been weakened and their powers have been additional strengthened… Accountability for implementation, monitoring and high quality assurance has been secured on the native stage,” he mentioned.
Mr Chouhan mentioned that along with making social audits necessary by provisions for public evaluate of expenditures and funds, emphasis was additionally positioned on the energetic participation of ladies, self-help teams and native communities.
“Rights aren’t given out of pity. Rights are given with safety and dignity,” he mentioned, calling the VB-G RAM G Regulation “the long run.” “The purpose is to empower villages and dignified staff. Our resolve is Gram Swaraj and self-reliance and our imaginative and prescient is village-based growth,” he mentioned.
