Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announces a special assembly session in January to protest the VB-G RAM G Bill, which replaces MGNREGA amid opposition outcry and concerns for rural livelihoods.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced a special assembly session in January to protest the newly passed VB-G RAM G Bill, which seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The decision comes amid widespread opposition criticism and protests over the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the historic employment scheme.
In a statement shared on X (Twitter), CM Mann said, “The BJP-led central government is attempting to undermine the livelihoods of the poor by replacing the MGNREGA scheme. To raise the voice of Punjabis against this high-handedness, a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly will be held in the second week of January.”
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Opposition Protests Grow
The VB-G RAM G Bill, formally named Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), guarantees 125 days of rural wage employment annually, similar to MGNREGA. However, the opposition has strongly criticized the move, claiming it removes the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and shifts the financial burden onto the states.
The bill was cleared by both houses of Parliament—Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha—amid vociferous protests. In the Rajya Sabha, it was passed through a voice vote, just hours after Lok Sabha approval, triggering a political uproar from opposition parties including Congress, TMC, and AAP leaders.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh highlighted that MGNREGA was the world’s largest employment guarantee scheme, providing essential livelihood security to millions of rural households. He criticized the central government, saying, “Those who cannot tolerate Gandhiji’s legacy are now attempting to dismantle this law, which is a lifeline for the rural poor.”
Political and Social Implications
Punjab’s announcement of a special assembly session signals that the state is determined to challenge the bill and raise concerns about its potential impact on poor and rural communities. With opposition protests ongoing in Parliament and on the streets, political tensions are expected to escalate further in the coming weeks.
The VB-G RAM G Bill, intended to modernize rural employment schemes, now faces criticism for removing Gandhi’s name and raising questions about state-level implementation and funding responsibilities, making it a key political flashpoint in India’s current rural policy debates.
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