New Delhi, 19 January (H.S.): Union Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday branded a Congress letter circulating on social media as a bundle of lies and deception, vigorously defending the Viksit Bharat: Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural)—or 'VB-G Ram Ji' Act.

Addressing a press conference, Chouhan took aim at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, stating that Congress cares nothing for Nation First or national development. He noted that while Congress raised the Garibi Hatao slogan in 1971, 25 crore people have actually escaped poverty under Modi government.

Mahatma Gandhi revered truth above all, yet today's Congress spreads confusion through AI-generated videos and fake photos.Chouhan directly accused Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress-led UPA government had denied MGNREGA workers unemployment allowance.

We removed that provision from MGNREGA. Now workers get real rights on the ground, not just on paper. Unemployment allowance becomes mandatory if work isn't provided within 15 days, he clarified.

Congress rightly stated that MGNREGA created 10 crore assets, with over 8 crore built under Modi's leadership. During COVID, Modi government spent over ₹1.11 lakh crore on MGNREGA. Improvement efforts and addressing shortcomings led to nearly ₹9 lakh crore expenditure.

Dismantling Congress's misinformation, Chouhan detailed the new scheme's enhancements: MGNREGA transitions to Viksit Bharat G Ram Ji; employment guarantee rises from 100 to 125 days; wage payment now mandatory within 7-14 days (with extra payment for delays); administrative expenses increased to 9%; central government budget hiked to ₹95,600 crore.

Stop misleading people with lies. States face no extra burden—this investment will transform villages. Calling new schools, bridges, hospitals, and jobs a 'burden' reflects anti-development thinking, Chouhan asserted. He emphasized priority for SC/ST communities and women in policy, urging Congress to accept facts rather than spread confusion.

The goal remains empowering every poor and marginalized citizen.Gram panchayats will now decide village works. Where workers demand employment, work is guaranteed with unemployment allowance provisions unchanged.

Countering claims that only select panchayats will get work, Chouhan clarified the law applies uniformly across every gram panchayat nationwide. Gram sabhas will create Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, with at least 50% works executed by panchayats themselves, not contractors.

On Rahul Gandhi's charge of stealing farm-season work, Chouhan noted 85% of India's farmers are small and marginal. Farmers and workers collaborating during agricultural seasons should face no objection. The 125-day work guarantee ensures employment during non-peak periods.

Advising Congress to shut its shop of lies, Chouhan remarked that democracy demands more than mere speeches.Notably, Congress expressed concerns over worker budget cuts, payment delays, and work shortages in the new scheme, launching a 45-day nationwide Save MGNREGA agitation against the legislation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar