Bhopal, Dec 30 (NationPress) The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, made a pointed critique of both the Punjab government and the Congress party during a press conference on Tuesday. He condemned the recent resolution enacted by the Punjab Assembly, which opposes central government initiatives, labeling it a breach of the Constitution's federal principles.

The Punjab Assembly convened a special one-day session on Tuesday to pass a resolution against the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB G RAM G) Act, 2025. This act is intended to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

During the press briefing in Bhopal, Chouhan expressed his dismay over the decision to dedicate an entire session to opposing parliamentary laws, particularly those aligned with the Vikasit Bharat initiative.

He emphasized that any law passed by Parliament is obligatory for all states, and allowing assemblies to issue contradictory resolutions is a direct affront to the nation’s federal framework.

To illustrate his point, he posed a question: Would it be acceptable for district or gram panchayats to contest state laws in a similar manner?

Chouhan specifically criticized Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that he seems to exist in a fantasy realm, disconnected from the realities on the ground.

The minister dismissed the notion that governance could effectively operate without a council of ministers, describing such rhetoric as irresponsible and perplexing. In discussing governance in Punjab, he noted significant failures in executing central schemes, particularly the MGNREGA.

He pointed out that out of over 13,000 gram panchayats in Punjab, social audits had been completed in less than half, revealing over 10,000 instances of financial mismanagement.

Despite recommendations for recovery from inflated expenditures in projects such as road and canal cleaning, and unauthorized spending, no significant action has been taken against those responsible or to recover the misappropriated funds.

Chouhan remarked that workers continue to voice concerns regarding delayed wages while corruption remains unresolved. He condemned the Punjab resolution as an example of blind political opposition that values protest over adherence to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, labeling it as undemocratic and disorderly.

In response, the Congress party in Madhya Pradesh has called for street protests against the central decision to rename MGNREGA as the Vikasit Bharat Guarantee Rozgar Aajeevika Mission Gramin.

Senior leader and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh announced plans to spearhead a march starting January 5 from Sehore, Chouhan's home district. He framed the movement as not just opposition to the name change but as a broader effort to uphold Gandhian values and dignity.

The renaming and the subsequent political reactions have escalated the ongoing conflict between the central government and opposition-controlled states regarding flagship rural development programs.