Scheme to come into effect from July 1 despite

the passing of a condemnation motion in the Assembly

Chandigarh, 27 June (H.S.): After months of political

opposition, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has implemented the

Centre’s VB-GRAMG scheme, officially known as the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for

Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission. A notification in this regard was issued late Friday

night and was sent to the concerned departmental officials on Saturday.

When the Central Government introduced the scheme,

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had strongly opposed it. The Punjab

Government had also convened a special session of the Assembly and passed a

resolution condemning the move. However, despite the earlier opposition, the

scheme has now been notified for implementation in the state.

The Central Government has introduced the Viksit Bharat

– Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Rural Act in place of the Mahatma Gandhi

National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, commonly known as MGNREGA. Under the

new law, rural families will be guaranteed 125 days of employment in every

financial year.

The Bill was passed by Parliament in December last year

and later received the President’s assent.

According to the notification issued by the Punjab

Government, the objective of the scheme is to align Punjab’s rural development

framework with the national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’. Under the scheme,

rural households whose adult members voluntarily come forward for unskilled

manual work will be provided guaranteed wage-based employment for 125 days in

each financial year.

As per the gazette notification, the VB-GRAMG scheme

will come into force in Punjab from July 1 and will be applicable in all

notified rural areas of the state. The scheme has been notified by the Punjab

Governor under Section 3(1) of the Central Act.

The notification has been issued by the Department of

Rural Development and Panchayats and bears the signature of Administrative

Secretary Ajit Balaji Joshi.

The implementation of the scheme is likely to trigger a fresh political

debate in the state, as the Punjab Assembly had earlier opposed the law and

raised concerns over its impact on rural workers and the state’s financial

burden.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH