Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a fierce attack on the BJP-led central government on Tuesday, condemning the newly passed VB-G RAM G Act as a deliberate move to strip the underprivileged of their livelihood guarantees. Speaking during a special session of the Punjab Assembly convened to discuss the issue, Mann asserted his government would act as the custodian of Punjabi rights and resist the law at all costs.
A "Direct Assault" on Dignity and Rights
Mann termed the legislation a "direct assault" on the dignity of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. He argued that by rushing the bill through Parliament in approximately 14 hours, the Centre had "hollowed out the very soul" of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He contrasted this with the careful deliberation under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, when MGNREGA was introduced after years of discussion.
The Chief Minister highlighted the critical role of MGNREGA in Punjab, revealing compelling data from the last financial year: women's participation stood at 60%, while SC participation was as high as 70%. This, he stressed, proved that the scheme primarily benefited society's most marginalized sections.
From Demand-Driven to Norm-Based: A Fundamental Shift
Mann explained the core change brought by the new Act. MGNREGA was a demand-driven scheme, guaranteeing work when people needed it. The VB-G RAM G Act, however, transforms it into a norm-based scheme. According to Mann, this shift is not in the people's interest and will worsen the economic condition of marginalized groups due to shrinking employment opportunities.
"The provisions of the new Act are aimed at weakening both the SCs and women socially and economically, resulting in widening inequality and causing further avoidable distress," he warned. He accused the Centre of snatching the work guarantee from laborers just as it has refused a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers.
Political Accusations and a Call for Rollback
The Punjab CM's criticism extended across the political spectrum. He accused the BJP of having an "anti-Punjab mindset" and claimed the Act was a game plan to benefit "blue-eyed industrialists" at the common person's expense. He also called out the Akali Dal for its "studied silence" and accused the Congress of indulging in "cheap tactics" to derail the serious discussion in the Assembly.
Mann demanded the immediate rollback of the VB-G RAM G Act. He raised a fundamental question about India's aspirations, asking how the nation can aim to become a "Vishav Guru" or a developed "Viksit Bharat" while depriving its weakest citizens of basic rights to food and livelihood. The state government, he vowed, would not allow these rights to be robbed.
