Central Minister Criticizes Telangana Congress Over Employment Scheme Misrepresentation

Minister's Accusations Against Telangana Congress

On Monday, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy accused the Telangana Congress of misleading the public by spreading false information regarding the recently passed amendments to the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (VB G Ram G Act). He emphasized that this initiative is highly beneficial for farmers and agricultural workers, as it allocates additional funds directly to the bank accounts of laborers.

Call for Collaboration

Reddy urged the state government to collaborate with the central authorities to maximize the benefits of this scheme for the public. He highlighted that the funds are being directly deposited into the workers' bank accounts, ensuring that they receive the financial support they need.

Congress's Response

This statement from the minister came shortly after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated the party's commitment to opposing changes to the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (formerly MGNREGA). Kharge accused the central government of attempting to favor corporations over the poor by cutting funding for this act.

Historical Context of MGNREGA

Kharge noted that MGNREGA was established to guarantee the right to work, originally introduced by Manmohan Singh to support the impoverished. He criticized the government's efforts to undermine a law that aids the needy, stating that the Congress party has announced a nationwide 'Save MGNREGA' campaign from January 10 to February 25 in opposition to the VB G Ram G Act.

Concerns Over New Regulations

According to Kharge, the new regulations impose additional financial burdens on states and reflect the central government's intention to dismantle laws that assist the poor. The act guarantees 125 days of wage employment for each adult member of rural families willing to engage in unskilled physical labor, an increase from the previous 100 days.