Central Minister Critiques Punjab Assembly's Session Against Employment Bill

Minister's Strong Opposition to Punjab Assembly's Actions

On Tuesday, Central Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed strong disapproval of the Punjab Assembly's decision to convene a special session to oppose the Developed India Employment and Livelihood Mission Bill. He stated that this action contradicts the fundamental spirit of India's federal structure. While addressing the issue, Chouhan noted that the bill had been thoroughly discussed in the Lok Sabha, where the government allowed ample time for debate before its passage.

Debate in Lok Sabha and Opposition's Response

Chouhan highlighted that the Lok Sabha engaged in over eight hours of debate regarding the bill. He mentioned that he was attentive to the suggestions made by each Member of Parliament. Despite his invitation for the opposition to listen to his response, they chose to disrupt the proceedings instead, attempting to silence him. He emphasized that while parliamentary decorum was breached, he remained steadfast in presenting his viewpoint.

Concerns Over Constitutional Principles

The minister raised concerns about the purpose of the Punjab Assembly's special session aimed at opposing the law passed by Parliament, asserting that such actions undermine constitutional principles. He pointed out that the assembly's agenda included discussions on the law already enacted by Parliament, arguing that passing a resolution against it contradicts the essence of the federal structure.

President Approves Significant Employment Bill

In a related development, President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Developed India Employment and Livelihood Mission Bill, 2025, marking a significant milestone in rural employment policy reform. This act extends the statutory wage employment guarantee for rural families to 125 days per financial year. Its aim is to promote empowerment, inclusive development, convergence of development initiatives, and saturation-based distribution, thereby strengthening the foundation for a prosperous, resilient, and self-reliant rural India.

Modernizing Employment Framework

This legislation replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a modern statutory framework that enhances livelihood security and aligns with the national vision for a developed India by 2047.