What Sonia Gandhi said about MGNREGA and VB-G RAM G Bill
Congress Leader Sonia Gandhi on MGNREGA and VB-G RAM G Bill: Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched her strongest attack yet on the central government on Saturday. She said it is extremely regrettable that the government has bulldozed the MGNREGA scheme, considered a lifeline for the poor.
Scheme's entire structure has been arbitrarily changed
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G Bill) was passed in the winter session of Parliament without any serious discussion, replacing MGNREGA. Sonia Gandhi alleged that not only has Mahatma Gandhi's name been removed from the scheme, but its entire structure has been arbitrarily changed without taking the opposition into confidence.
Addressing the public, Sonia Gandhi reminded them that this law was enacted 20 years ago during Dr. Manmohan Singh's tenure with broad consensus. It gave millions of rural families the legal right to employment, prevented migration, and empowered panchayats.
Scheme acted as a lifeline for the poor and laborers
She said that in the last 11 years, the Modi government has continuously tried to weaken it. She said that the scheme, which acted as a lifeline for the poor and laborers during difficult times like the COVID-19 pandemic, is now being targeted for elimination. This is a direct attack on the livelihoods of the poor and will not be tolerated.
Employment decisions will be made from Delhi
Sonia Gandhi stated that under the new law, decisions about who gets how much work and where will now be made from Delhi. Ground realities have been completely ignored. Calling it a black law, she said that the Congress never considered MGNREGA a party issue; it was always a decision in the national and public interest.
Sonia Gandhi declared that just as she had fought 20 years ago for the right to employment of her poor brothers and sisters, she and her millions of workers are ready to fight with all their might against this decision today.
On the other hand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticized the government on this issue. He warned that a nationwide movement would soon be launched to force the government to withdraw the bill.