MGNREGA: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal United (JDU), Bharatiya Janata Party’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners, have expressed their deep concerns over the proposed Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G) Bill that will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Has MGNREGA Initiated Cracks In NDA?
Both parties remarked they are not against the proposed bill but they have communicated their reservations to the BJP. However, TDP and JDU opted not to take a confrontational position against the proposed bill.
A senior JDU lawmaker said states will face challenges seeking additional funds for different infrastructure projects. The lawmaker added more help is required from the Center and it is hoped that their concerns will be duly and timely addressed.
TDP MP, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu said, Andhra Pradesh has been cash strapped since 2014. He added the Center has been helpful to the state whenever we have asked for their help and we hope the same continues.
What The New Bill Proposes?
The proposed Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G) Bill proposes the fund sharing pattern between the Center and State governments in the ratio of 60:40 against MGNREGA’s 90:10 for the states and union territories with a legislature. The ratio will be 90:10 for the northeastern states, Himalayan states (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir) and Union territories without a legislature.
Congress’s Absurd Logic
Congress senior party leader and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi said it is hard to understand the reasoning behind Modi government’s “obsession” with renaming schemes.
Priyanka added the proposed bill would “weaken” the original Act’s guaranteed 100 days of employment to the poorest of the poor. However, her logic is beyond imagination as the proposed bill in fact will provide 125 days of employment to the poorest of the poor, which will be 25 days of additional pay to the poor.
