Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday criticised the Modi government’s proposal to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), arguing that legislation should not be driven by what she described as personal bias or obsession.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha against the proposed VB-G Ram G Bill, Gandhi said the move would dilute the original law’s guarantee of 100 days of employment for the poor. She told reporters in the Parliament House complex that renaming welfare schemes itself imposes a financial burden on the country and questioned the need for such a change. She also said the new bill would weaken the employment guarantee that MGNREGA had ensured for the poorest sections.
Gandhi alleged that although the government had added provisions that appeared to increase the number of working days, there was no clarity on whether wages had been raised. She questioned how such changes would benefit workers if wage rates remained unchanged, Indian Express reported.
Calling for the withdrawal of the bill, the Congress leader said it should not be rushed through Parliament without proper consultation or debate. She urged the government to withdraw the proposal and introduce a fresh bill after wider discussion, including scrutiny by the Standing Committee. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi, she said he held an emotional place in the lives of Indians and that decisions related to his legacy should not be taken lightly or out of prejudice.
Gandhi also accused the government of consistently cutting funds allocated to MGNREGA over the years, claiming that workers across the country complain of delayed or unpaid wages.