Cong misleading public on rural employment reforms: Jai Ram

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur today launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, accusing it of misleading the public over reforms in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Addressing a press conference here today, Thakur said the proposed VB-G-RAM G “Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025” would bring transformative changes and should not be projected as an attempt to dismantle MGNREGA.

He said the Congress, out of political frustration, was spreading misinformation that the NDA government intended to end MGNREGA, whereas the new mission was an upgraded and more effective version of the scheme. Thakur stated that while MGNREGA guaranteed 100 days of employment, the new mission would increase this to 125 days and focus not only on employment but also on sustainable livelihood creation. Payments would be ensured within 15 days on a weekly cycle, supported by digital tracking and biometric monitoring to curb corruption.

Highlighting financial support, Thakur said for hilly states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and northeastern states, the Centre would bear 90 per cent of the expenditure, with states contributing only 10 per cent. He also cited budget figures, stating that the MGNREGA allocation had risen from Rs 33,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.10 lakh crore in 2020-21 under the PM Modi-led government, with continued strong provisions in recent budgets.

Thakur emphasised that the mission aligned with the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” focusing on skill development, apprenticeships, startups, women’s self-help groups and preventing migration by creating local employment. He added that if work is not provided within 15 days of application, eligible applicants would receive unemployment allowance, funded by state governments.

He also alleged deteriorating law and order situation in Himachal Pradesh. Referring to recent incidents, including a blast near a police station in Nalagarh and the death of a college student in Dharamsala, Thakur said such events were against the state’s peaceful culture. He urged the state government to order high-level, impartial investigations and take strict action against those responsible, warning that public confidence in law enforcement was eroding.