Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched a sharp critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government on Tuesday, labeling its claims regarding the new rural employment scheme as misleading. He specifically targeted the Vishwakarma Yojana (VBGRAMG) bill, which seeks to replace the long-standing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Stalin's Scathing Attack on VBGRAMG Provisions
In a series of posts on social media platform X, the DMK chief dismantled the central government's assertion that the VBGRAMG scheme guarantees 125 days of work. He termed this a "deceptive ploy" designed to mislead the public. Stalin drew from recent history, stating that even under the existing law that promises 100 days of work, the BJP regime has consistently failed to deliver. "People received only 20 to 25 days of work," he claimed, highlighting a significant gap between promise and reality.
The Chief Minister further accused the Centre of financial mismanagement, pointing out delays in wage payments and project expenses. "They deceived the people by not releasing the wages and project expenses on a monthly basis," Stalin asserted. He described a distressing scenario where the state government had to struggle to secure even the pending funds for the scheme.
Altered Financial Allocation: A Punishment for States?
One of Stalin's primary concerns revolves around the revised financial structure of the VBGRAMG bill, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The new legislation proposes a major shift from the old model where the Union government bore 100% of the costs. The VBGRAMG scheme introduces a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and the states.
Stalin vehemently opposed this change, warning that it would place a severe financial burden on Tamil Nadu. He argued that forcing states to shoulder 40% of the project cost is not merely an added responsibility but acts as a "punishment imposed on state governments." He linked this to the existing fiscal stress many states, including Tamil Nadu, are facing following the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Accusations of Treason Against AIADMK's Palaniswami
The Chief Minister did not limit his criticism to the BJP alone. He turned his fire towards the opposition in the state, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, for extending support to the Centre's move. Stalin condemned Palaniswami's stance, framing it as a betrayal of the state's rural poor.
"It is an unforgivable act of treason by Palaniswami to welcome the decision of the Union government to shutdown the MGNREGA scheme," Stalin declared. He emphasized that MGNREGA has been a critical social safety net, "safeguarding the livelihoods of rural women and poor agricultural laborers." By supporting its replacement with a scheme that reduces central funding and alters guarantees, Palaniswami is siding against the interests of Tamil Nadu's vulnerable populations, Stalin alleged.
The VBGRAMG bill incorporates two other notable changes: the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme and a shift in the operational framework. Stalin expressed apprehension about the latter, suggesting it gives excessive discretion to officials. "Now, after the rules were changed the officials can provide work only if they wish and even one or two days of work will become rare," he cautioned, predicting a drastic reduction in actual employment generation.
The political confrontation sets the stage for a heated debate in Parliament and underscores the deepening rift between the DMK-led state government and the BJP-led Centre over fiscal federalism and welfare policies.
