Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has declared that the state government will convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha in the second week of January 2025. This move comes as a direct response to the recent passage of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025 by the Parliament, which overhauls the existing rural employment guarantee framework.
Special Assembly Session to Challenge Centre's MGNREGA Overhaul
Strongly criticising the BJP-led Central government, Mann accused it of attempting to discontinue the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) by altering its fundamental conditions. He stated that the amendments would impose a heavier financial load on state governments while stripping away benefits for the economically vulnerable sections of society.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the funding ratio for the scheme has been shifted. Previously, the Centre bore 90% of the cost with states contributing 10%. Under the new rules, the state's share is alleged to have increased to 40%. Mann questioned the logic, asking, "But they don't provide funds to the state. From where will the states get the money? Will they mint notes?"
New Restrictions and "Mockery" of the Poor
Detailing the specific changes, Mann pointed out that the revised scheme reportedly prohibits critical development works. Irrigation projects and construction activities, including the building of schools and marketplaces (mandis), have been excluded. Furthermore, the cleaning of village ponds is now permitted only once every five years.
He dismissed the Centre's claim of increasing guaranteed work days from 100 to 125 as hollow. "What will the labour do?" he asked, arguing that the new restrictions nullify the benefit of extra days. Mann asserted that these changes make a mockery of the country's poor, who are being systematically deprived of welfare benefits while subsidies continue to favour the wealthy.
Concerns Over Retired Agniveers and Martyr Status
Expanding his critique beyond MGNREGA, the Punjab CM also launched a sharp attack on the Central government's Agniveer scheme for military recruitment. He raised a pressing concern regarding the first batch of Agniveers from Punjab, who are scheduled to retire in April 2026.
"Now we are worried about what we are going to do with them as they are trained in using weapons," Mann stated. He warned that without proper rehabilitation, such as absorption into the Punjab Police, these trained youth could be misused by unscrupulous elements.
Mann also highlighted a contentious issue regarding the honour accorded to martyrs. He alleged that Agniveers who lay down their lives for the nation are not given the same martyr status as regular Army personnel. "If a regular Army personnel is killed... he will be given the honour. A family loses its son, but they wouldn't acknowledge his sacrifice," he lamented, calling the policy discriminatory.
In a social media post on platform X, the Chief Minister framed the Central government's actions as part of a "worker-crushing agenda." He accused the Centre of stalling development projects under MGNREGA and offloading financial costs onto states, thereby pushing anti-people initiatives. The upcoming special session in January is positioned as Punjab's formal legislative stand against these perceived injustices.
