Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday strongly defended the government's recent legislative move to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a new scheme. He insisted that the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, far from weakening the social safety net, actually strengthens the legal right to work for rural households.
Countering Opposition Allegations
Responding to sharp criticism from opposition parties, led by the Congress, Chouhan accused them of spreading misinformation. “Once again, a conspiracy is afoot to mislead the nation in the name of MGNREGA,” he stated. The minister framed the new legislation as a progressive evolution, calling it “the next step forward for MGNREGA.”
He outlined the core enhancement in the new law, directly addressing workers: “Brother Workers, now it’s not 100, but a legal guarantee of 125 days of work.” This increase from the previous 100-day guarantee is positioned as the central improvement of the new framework.
Strengthened Safeguards and Massive Funding
Chouhan detailed several reinforced provisions designed to protect labourers. He emphasized that the mechanisms for providing an unemployment allowance, when work is not made available, have been made more robust. Additionally, the new law includes a provision for additional payment to workers in cases where their wages are delayed.
To back these promises, the minister highlighted the substantial financial commitment. “For this scheme, a massive sum of more than Rs 1,51,282 crore has been proposed this very year,” he announced. This funding, he argued, would ensure sufficient resources not only for providing employment but also for enabling comprehensive village development projects.
Broader Vision for Village Development
The minister connected the employment guarantee to wider national development goals. He stated that the scheme would focus on creating “developed villages, self-reliant villages, and poverty-free, employment-rich villages” through specific projects. These include:
- Water conservation initiatives
- Village infrastructure development
- Livelihood generation activities
- Disaster prevention measures
Addressing a key concern, Chouhan assured that provisions have been incorporated to ensure small farmers face no difficulties during critical agricultural periods, even with the 125-day employment guarantee in place.
Political Backdrop and Passage
Chouhan's defence comes amidst fierce political opposition. The Congress and other parties have accused the government of unilaterally dismantling MGNREGA and removing Mahatma Gandhi's name from the flagship scheme without consultation. The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill was passed by Parliament on December 18, following a session marked by protests and disruptions by the opposition.
In his concluding remarks, Chouhan branded the new law as unequivocally pro-poor. “This law is in favour of the poor, in favour of development, and it provides a complete guarantee of employment to workers,” he said, framing it as essential to the national resolve of building a developed India from the grassroots up.
