New Delhi, Dec 16 (NationPress) The BJP expressed its approval of the Central Government's recent decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen), abbreviated as G RAM G. This change is seen as a reflection of the NDA administration's commitment to integrating individuals below the poverty line into the development framework.

In an interview with IANS, senior BJP figure Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stated that this new approach aligns public welfare with national responsibility.

“The essence of public welfare is intertwined with duty, which embodies ‘G RAM G’. For a developed and self-reliant India, we should take pride in G RAM G. The issue with the Congress is their tendency to name schemes after family members to serve their political interests. When G RAM G emphasizes Aatmanirbharta, the welfare of the impoverished, and development focused on the populace, it contradicts their politics of ‘parivarvaad’,” Naqvi articulated to IANS.

BJP MP Dinesh Sharma emphasized that this matter should not be regarded merely as a name alteration.

“Referring to it as just a ‘name change’ is misleading. The scheme, which has been in place for two decades, was beneficial, yet the definitions and aspects of poverty have evolved. Improvement is necessary. This Bill aims to enhance the current scheme, increasing the number of workdays, and crucially, workers will now qualify for an unemployment allowance. Does the Opposition oppose welfare for laborers?” he remarked.

BJP MP Damodar Agarwal noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has enacted several landmark initiatives over the past 11 years to enhance the lives of ordinary citizens.

“With the same objective of improving workers' lives and ensuring inclusive growth, the government has introduced this Bill,” he stated.

BJP MP Kamaljeet Sherawat pointed out that the new legislation entails significant reforms.

“Changing the name of MGNREGA is not merely cosmetic; numerous crucial amendments are being introduced, which is why it is being positioned as a new Act. This Bill embodies the vision of Viksit Bharat. The guaranteed workdays are set to rise to 125, and workers will also receive employment during disaster scenarios. This will facilitate job creation,” she added.

Uttar Pradesh Minister Jaiveer Singh highlighted the emphasis on accountability and quality.

“In the updated version, transparency and quality will be prioritized. The deficiencies of the earlier framework will be rectified, and work will be executed utilizing modern technology,” he mentioned.

UP Minister Sanjay Nishad asserted that the move showcases the NDA's dedication to inclusive development.

“This illustrates the NDA's vision to incorporate those below the poverty line into the development narrative, with ongoing efforts in this direction. My gratitude goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this. The Congress lacks the moral authority to comment on this matter. Mahatma Gandhi advocated for action, and it is inappropriate for Congress to interfere in every issue,” Nishad commented.

In contrast, the Congress party has continued to oppose the renaming of the scheme, asserting that Mahatma Gandhi's name should remain.

Congress MP Mallu Ravi stated, “There is no justification for altering the name of MGNREGA. Mahatma Gandhi is the Father of the Nation and played a critical role in India's independence struggle. Those who did not participate in that struggle are now removing his name.”

The CPI has also raised concerns regarding the proposed modifications.

CPI MP P. Santhosh Kumar cautioned that the new framework could impose additional burdens on states.

“The responsibility on states will grow, which could lead to complications,” he warned.

The Centre has put forth a Bill to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen), abbreviated as VB G RAM G. A party directive has been issued, urging BJP MPs to be present in Parliament to facilitate the Bill's passage. According to the government, the new legislation offers a revised framework aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Initially launched by the UPA government in 2005, MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households and has been viewed as a transformative initiative over the last two decades. The proposed Bill aims to extend the employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days. It also includes provisions for payments to be made within seven to fifteen days post-completion of work, alongside an unemployment allowance should there be delays in remuneration.

The new Bill suggests categorizing work into four categories: water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure, and disaster resilience. Work will be suspended during peak agricultural periods. To boost transparency, biometric authentication and geotagging have been proposed, along with multi-level grievance redressal systems.