Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy launched a sharp attack on the Congress party and other opposition groups on Monday. Speaking at a press conference in Hyderabad, he accused them of deliberately spreading misinformation about the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act.
Substantial Funding Increase Announced
Reddy made a significant financial announcement during his address. He revealed that the Central government will spend an additional ₹17,000 crore on the rural employment guarantee scheme this financial year compared to the previous year. This represents a substantial boost in funding for rural livelihood programs across the nation.
Telangana to Receive Extra ₹340 Crore
The minister provided specific details for Telangana. He stated that under the revised guidelines, the state would receive an extra ₹340 crore. Reddy emphasized that this demonstrates the Centre's firm commitment to strengthening rural economies and supporting agricultural communities.
Technology-Driven Reforms for Transparency
According to Reddy, the amendments to the scheme followed a thorough review process. The government incorporated feedback from farmers, laborers, and rural communities before implementing changes.
"We have integrated advanced technology to enhance accountability and transparency," Reddy declared. "A new provision now imposes penalties for delayed wage payments after work completion. We have also increased funding for supervision by 9 percent."
He explained that geo-tagging of works would enable real-time monitoring of projects nationwide. This technological approach aims to improve oversight and reduce irregularities in implementation.
Countering Congress Criticism
Reddy took strong exception to Congress's criticism of the government's rural initiatives. He accused the previous Congress administration of renaming the ‘Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana’ without substantial improvements.
"The scheme needs to evolve beyond simply digging pits," Reddy argued. "It should transform into a comprehensive initiative focused on village development and increasing rural incomes."
Support for Irrigation Projects
On the subject of irrigation, the minister expressed support for granting national project status to schemes like the Palamuru-Rangareddy project. He described this demand as legitimate and assured that the BJP would back such efforts to improve water infrastructure.
Reddy's statements in Hyderabad highlighted the government's rural development priorities while directly challenging opposition narratives about their policies and spending.
