Source The Hindu
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday asserted that the Centre’s VB-G RAM G scheme is a more effective and forward-looking employment initiative than the Congress-led Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), accusing the opposition party of misleading the public for political gains.
Addressing a public gathering, Chouhan said the VB-G RAM G scheme has been designed to provide sustainable livelihoods, skill-based employment, and long-term income generation in rural areas, unlike MGNREGA, which he described as limited to short-term wage employment. He claimed that the new scheme focuses on creating durable assets, strengthening village-level infrastructure, and promoting self-reliance among rural youth.
“The Congress is deliberately spreading misinformation by comparing VB-G RAM G with MGNREGA. This government is committed to empowering villages through productivity, not dependency,” Chouhan said. He added that while MGNREGA was introduced with good intentions, its implementation over the years has suffered due to alleged corruption, delays in wage payments, and a lack of focus on skill development.
Chouhan further stated that VB-G RAM G integrates technology, entrepreneurship, and convergence with other central schemes to ensure transparency and efficiency. According to him, the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to transform rural India into an engine of economic growth.
Hitting back, the Congress maintained that MGNREGA remains a critical social safety net for millions of rural households, especially during economic distress, and accused the BJP-led government of attempting to dilute or replace it. The party argued that guaranteed wage employment under MGNREGA cannot be substituted by schemes that lack legal backing.
The debate comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of upcoming elections, with rural employment emerging as a key issue. As both parties sharpen their rhetoric, the future of rural job schemes is likely to remain a central point of contention in the national political discourse.
