Congress Launching ‘Bhrashtachar Bachao Sangram’, Not ‘MNREGA Bachao’: Shivraj Chouhan

Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday mounted a sharp attack on the Congress over its proposed “MNREGA Bachao Sangram” beginning January 10, terming it instead a “Bhrashtachar Bachao Sangram” aimed at protecting corruption.

Addressing a press conference, Chouhan said the Congress was opposing reforms and spreading misinformation about the newly introduced VB G RAM G law, which replaces the existing rural employment guarantee framework.

“We have improved MNREGA. The VB G RAM G law is better than MNREGA. That is why the Congress is upset — because we have shut down the avenues of corruption,” Chouhan said, calling the Congress a “factory of myths and corruption”.

He claimed that social audits under the earlier MNREGA framework had exposed serious irregularities, including the use of machinery instead of manual labour, repeated construction of the same assets and the absence of durable infrastructure.

“Earlier, states decided the nature of work. Now, village representatives will take those decisions. This will ensure transparency and that work reflects local needs,” he said.

Highlighting key features of the new law, Chouhan said it increases the employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days, mandates unemployment allowance if work is not provided on demand, and includes a ‘no-work’ provision during peak agricultural seasons to ensure adequate labour availability for farming activities.

He also said the revised framework addresses chronic wage delays seen under the previous system. “In several states, workers were not paid for months. This law provides clear safeguards,” he added.

Rejecting the Congress’ claim that the new scheme would financially burden states, Chouhan said the 60:40 Centre-state cost-sharing formula was consistent with other centrally sponsored schemes.

Chouhan further said BJP president J P Nadda had chaired a meeting on the new law and that the party would soon launch a nationwide awareness campaign to explain its provisions.

Taking a swipe at the opposition, he questioned the absence of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during the parliamentary debate on the bill.

“You skip Parliament when the law is being discussed and then announce a ‘Sangram’. What kind of hypocrisy is this?” the minister asked.

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