Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), stating that it failed to achieve meaningful rural development. Chouhan highlighted issues such as improper fund utilization and lack of effective monitoring, leading to widespread misuse of funds.
Chouhan mentioned that the scheme became associated with corruption due to work being carried out by machines or contractors instead of laborers. He emphasized that inflated estimates, inaccurate valuations, and repetitive work were common occurrences under MGNREGA. As a result, a bill was introduced and passed into law to address these shortcomings.
Accusing the Congress and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, of misleading the public, Chouhan criticized their stance on renaming MGNREGA as ‘Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)’ (VB – G Ram G). He expressed disappointment over disruptions during the bill’s debate in the Lok Sabha, alleging a lack of constructive engagement from opposition members.
Chouhan highlighted the integration of the new mission with the Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti initiative to enhance effectiveness and promote village-level development. He underscored the Act’s provision for unemployment allowance and emphasized the use of technology for transparency in work allocation and valuation. Additionally, special provisions allow for scheduling work during peak agricultural seasons, benefiting laborers, village development, and agricultural needs.
Expressing surprise at a one-day session in Punjab opposing a law passed by Parliament, Chouhan emphasized the importance of the new mission in aligning with national development goals.
