New Delhi: The Vikas Bharat Guarantee Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, briefly named Ji Ram Ji, was passed by both houses of Parliament in just two days. This bill is being said to be an updated version of the UPA government’s ambitious scheme Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act (MGNREGA). However, there was a huge uproar in the Parliament regarding its name, nature and provisions.
Strong opposition from Lok Sabha to Rajya Sabha
The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday afternoon despite huge protests, sloganeering and walkout by the opposition. After this, the debate continued till late night in the Rajya Sabha and it was approved by voice vote at around 12:15 am. The opposition parties demanded to first send the bill to the Standing Committee and then withdraw it completely, but the government rejected both the demands.
Controversy over removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name
Many opposition parties including Congress expressed strong objection to removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the bill and replacing it with ‘Ji Ram Ji’. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on the government, calling it against the interests of the poor. He said that the government talks in the name of the poor, but its decisions are like stabbing them in the back. Kharge appealed to Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan that there is still time, the law should be withdrawn.
Kharge’s emotional address
Kharge also became emotional in his speech. Taking oath on his late mother and Mother India, he said that this law is harmful for the poor. He reminded the government that just as the agricultural laws were withdrawn, the government can improve its image by withdrawing this law.
Other opposition parties also vocal
Trinamool Congress’s Derek O’Brien accused the government that the Center stopped MNREGA in West Bengal, after which the state government had to start its own scheme. He also said that on the day the bill was passed, the West Bengal government changed the name of its scheme after the Mahatma, which is a message against the Centre’s decision. After the debate, MPs from Trinamool and other parties also staged a dharna in the Parliament complex.
Government’s counterattack
When Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stood up to reply, the opposition raised slogans of “take back the black bill” and eventually walked out of the House. Angered by this, Chauhan said that running away after making allegations is against Gandhi’s ideals. He accused Congress of making MNREGA a means of corruption and said that the new law has been brought after extensive deliberations.
What changed in the Yes Ram Ji Bill?
According to the government, reform of the 20-year-old MNREGA scheme was necessary. In the new law, the employment guarantee of 100 days has been increased to 125 days. However, employment is now linked to pre-approved schemes. The work is divided into four categories: water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood assets and climate adaptation.
Main objections of the opposition
The opposition alleges that the new law destroys the basic spirit of MNREGA. Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said that there is neither real guarantee of employment nor security of livelihood in this. According to critics, this law focuses on government schemes rather than the needs of the rural poor.
political impact
With the passing of the Ji Ram Ji Bill, a major change in the rural employment policy is considered certain. Although the government is calling it reform and expansion, the opposition is calling it an anti-poor step. In the coming times, this law can become a big issue both in politics and on the ground.
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