Shivraj Singh Chouhan Criticizes Congress for Disrupting Parliament Over Employment Bill
Central Agriculture Minister's Strong Remarks
On Thursday, Central Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan condemned the Congress party for causing chaos in Parliament and tearing copies of the Developed India Guarantee Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, 2025. He stated that the actions of the MPs from the India Block have undermined the dignity of democracy. During a press conference following the passage of the VB-G Ram-Gi Bill amidst opposition uproar in the Lok Sabha, Chouhan criticized the behavior of the India Block MPs while expressing his support for the bill, which is set to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Condemnation of Disruptive Actions
The minister labeled the act of tearing the bill and climbing on tables as an affront to the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. He remarked that the opposition's conduct, which included members from Congress and the India Alliance, has tarnished the dignity of our democracy. He emphasized that there has been a severe breach of parliamentary decorum, transforming democracy into mob rule. The discussion on the VB-G Ram-Gi Bill extended until 1:30 AM, during which he claimed that the opposition was heard attentively. He expressed his willingness to answer all questions but insisted that he should also be listened to. However, pages were torn and thrown on tables, questioning whether this was not a violation of Gandhi's principles.
Defending the New Bill
In defense of the bill, Chouhan noted that rural development programs have evolved over time, and under the VB-G Ram-Gi scheme, a guarantee of 125 days of employment will be provided, compared to the 100 days guaranteed under MGNREGA. Addressing the issue of fund allocation between the central and state governments, he mentioned that out of the proposed ₹1,51,282 crores, the central government's share exceeds ₹95,000 crores.
Commitment to Rural Welfare
He urged that while everyone is entitled to their opinions, it is unethical to prevent others from speaking. Chouhan condemned the actions of the opposition, highlighting that numerous schemes have been introduced for rural development. He pointed out that programs often change, citing examples like the Comprehensive Rural Employment Scheme and the Jawahar Employment Scheme, questioning if the absence of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's name on MGNREGA was disrespectful. He reaffirmed that the welfare of the poor is the BJP's commitment, with numerous initiatives launched under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, resulting in over 25 crore people rising above the poverty line.
A Vision for Developed India
Chouhan clearly stated that the welfare of the poor is a core commitment of the BJP. Under PM Narendra Modi's leadership, multiple initiatives are continuously improving the lives of the underprivileged. He emphasized that for a developed India, employment and developed villages are key goals, which is why the employment guarantee has been increased from 100 to 125 days.