Congress Leader Criticizes Name Change of Rural Employment Scheme

Opposition to Name Change of Employment Scheme

On Monday, Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot expressed his disapproval of the renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), arguing that the newly proposed initiative, the New Developed India - Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) VB-G RAM G, would effectively dismantle the existing rural employment scheme.

Key Points:

Relevance of MGNREGA:  Pilot contends that the new scheme could undermine the rights provided by the rural employment guarantee.

Budget and Priorities: The Congress party accuses the government of diminishing the rights of the poor by favoring new initiatives over established frameworks like MGNREGA.

Changing MGNREGA is a 'Historic Mistake'

Sachin Pilot labeled the government's decision to alter the rural employment law MGNREGA as a 'historic mistake' and a calculated attack on the livelihood opportunities for the most marginalized. The former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan also accused the ruling BJP of engaging in 'political vendetta' against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi by falsely implicating them in the National Herald case.

He stated, 'The Indian government has made a historic error. For the first time since independence, a program or scheme named after the Father of the Nation has been renamed. The only network that provided financial security to rural India, known as MGNREGA, has been completely dismantled by the government.'

Lack of Consultation and Political Motivations

During a press conference, he mentioned that MGNREGA was revoked without any discussion with state governments, stakeholders, or civil society, and that Parliament was used to showcase 'majority power' to force the law through.

Pilot reiterated the Congress party's stance that since the BJP came to power in 2014, they have been pursuing 'political revenge' against Congress leaders by entangling them in the National Herald case. He noted that the court has stated it will not take cognizance of the case filed by the Enforcement Directorate, indicating that the matter was politically motivated.

He added, 'The court's ruling makes it clear that the case was politically driven... We have been proven innocent.'

Unity in Karnataka Congress

Additionally, addressing speculation about power struggles within the Karnataka Congress unit, AICC General Secretary Sachin Pilot stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar are working in harmony, and any decision made by the party high command will be accepted by all. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, with Deputy CM Shivakumar by his side, Pilot dismissed rumors of internal discord. He remarked, 'When the PCC (State Congress) President (Shivakumar) refers to the Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) as his elder brother, and the Chief Minister calls him his younger brother, that settles the matter.'