New Delhi: Parliament on Friday passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Bill, with Rajya Sabha approving the legislation after it got the nod of the Lok Sabha.
Opposition members staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha before the bill, which seeks to replace MGNREGA, was passed. They pressed that the bill should be sent to a Select Committee.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the bill will play an important role in the welfare of the poor. He accused Congress of disrespecting Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals.
Participating in the debate, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari said the party will restore the MGNREGA legislation when it comes to power.
“The day we return to power, Gandhi’s name will be there, and MNREGA will be restored in its original form. That is our promise. We will bring back Gandhi’s name. We will put an end to your Godse-like tendencies,” he said, targeting the BJP.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took several jibes at the BJP government and said that the time will come when they will take back the legislation.
“A person, a minister, who shows compassion towards the poor, is now ending the MNREGA. There is some compulsion which you are not telling others… In the coming days, a time will come when you will take back this law just like the three farm laws. Do you want an agitation where people block roads, protest, sustain bullet injuries, and die? Only then will you take back the law? People will come out on the streets, face bullets, but never support this law. We will continue fighting… ‘Gareeb logon ko jo ye sapna dikha rahe hain, wo kabhi poora nahi hoga’,” he said.