Haryana Assembly Approves Viksit Bharat G RAM G Amid Political Drama
In a dramatic session marked by political tensions, the Haryana Legislative Assembly, led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini of the BJP, passed a resolution endorsing the Viksit Bharat G RAM G scheme on Thursday. This decision came during the concluding sitting of the fifth day of the Budget session, following an extensive discussion that saw Congress MLAs stage a symbolic walkout in protest.
Congress Protest and Assembly Proceedings
The resolution was moved by Ram Kumar Kashyap, who proposed a full-day discussion on the subject. However, Congress legislators, led by former ministers Geeta Bhukkal, Aftab Ahmed, and B B Batra in the absence of Opposition Leader Bhupinder Hooda, expressed strong dissent. They argued that the resolution was unnecessary since the matter had already been passed in the Lok Sabha, leading to their walkout. Despite this, Speaker Harvinder Kalyan allocated one hour for debate, which culminated in Chief Minister Saini's address to the House.
Chief Minister's Defense and Historical Context
In his statement, CM Nayab Singh Saini emphasized the cultural significance of the scheme, stating, "Ram is India's soul, Ram is India's culture and values." He accused the opposition of historically opposing initiatives related to Ram, including the Ram Setu project, and alleged that they had spread confusion among the public instead of engaging in constructive discussion within the Assembly.
Saini detailed the rationale behind the Viksit Bharat G RAM G, highlighting it as a response to deficiencies in the previous MGNREGA scheme. He referenced a visit by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Punjab, where workers reported issues such as unpaid wages despite completed work. A subsequent social audit uncovered multiple shortcomings, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to overhaul the scheme.
Key Features of the Revised Scheme
Under the new provisions, the Viksit Bharat G RAM G ensures several improvements:
- Increased work days from 100 to 125 per year.
- Higher wages for laborers.
- Expansion beyond traditional tasks like digging and filling pits to include more diverse employment opportunities.
Other BJP ministers and MLAs, including Ranbir Gangwa, supported the resolution by outlining past criticisms of MGNREGA and the necessity for the updated scheme to address systemic flaws.
Additional Focus on Environmental Concerns
In a separate but notable address, Chief Minister Saini expressed grave concern over the proliferation of single-use plastic, labeling it a significant environmental and health threat. He urged all public representatives to lead awareness campaigns, citing Prime Minister Modi's emphasis on eliminating such plastics nationwide. Saini warned that excessive plastic use contributes to serious health issues, including cancer, and called for collective action to mitigate these risks.
The session underscored the BJP government's commitment to both social welfare through the Viksit Bharat G RAM G and environmental sustainability, amidst ongoing political opposition.
