Congress misused MGNREGA; VB-G RAM G to modernise rural jobs: Saini | Chandigarh News
Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday targeted the Congress and its MLAs while describing the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) as a strong foundation for improving the living standards of hardworking labourers.At a state-level function in Panchkula, Saini interacted directly with beneficiaries from across the state and said the scheme is Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s guarantee to every worker in the country. It ensures the right to work with dignity, timely wages, social respect and a secure livelihood.
Launching a scathing attack on the opposition and its allies, the CM said the Congress has become devoid of real issues and is resorting to misleading tactics to create confusion about the G RAM G scheme. He alleged that Congress leaders turned the MGNREGA scheme into a means of livelihood for themselves rather than for labourers. He said during their tenure, the name of the scheme changed repeatedly, but corruption continued unabated.Saini said that it was due to the flawed policies of the Congress that the people of the country and the state rejected the party. He urged citizens not to be misled by Congress propaganda, stating that the party has consistently played with the interests of the poor and backward classes.He further criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt in Punjab, alleging that it is opposing the G RAM G scheme solely for political considerations. He said despite proven instances of corruption in wage payments to labourers under MGNREGA in Punjab.He emphasised that the path to a developed India passes through its villages. The scheme is not merely an employment programme, but an initiative aimed at uplifting the lives of hardworking people, ensuring dignity of labour, and protecting their self-respect.Saini said that, keeping in view the shortcomings of MGNREGA, PM Modi presented the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 to the nation. He clarified that this is not just a renaming of MGNREGA, but a comprehensive modernisation of the rural employment system.He said that under the new law, the statutory guarantee of employment increased from 100 days to 125 days. In addition, the law empowers states to suspend work for up to 60 days during the sowing and harvesting seasons. This provision ensures that workers will receive employment for these 60 days separately, in addition to the 125 days guaranteed under the Viksit Bharat – G RAM G scheme. As a result, the annual income of an average rural unskilled worker across the country is expected to increase by more than Rs 7,000. In Haryana, each worker will receive an additional benefit of at least Rs 10,000. With Haryana offering the highest minimum wage in the country at Rs 400 per day, the annual income of every worker can increase to a minimum of Rs 50,000.Saini said the circumstances were very different when MNREGA was first launched, but over time several shortcomings crept into the scheme, directly impacting workers. He said workers are well aware that in some places machines replaced manual labour, in others payments were made in fake names, and on many occasions, wages were delayed for months. He added that in several parts of the country, corruption, fake job cards, the dominance of contractors, and the violation of workers’ rights took place under the guise of MGNREGA. From CAG reports to social audits, it was repeatedly revealed that while genuine workers continued to toil, others misappropriated the benefits meant for them.In contrast, he said, Prime Minister Modi is continuously working to improve the living standards of labourers, the poor, and the weaker sections of society through transparent and worker-centric policies. MSID:: 126644347 413 |
