Amidst opposition attacks on the VB-G Ram Ji scheme, the government has accelerated its strategy. The Ministry of Rural Development has sent a detailed report to central ministers to enable them to respond to Congress allegations with facts during public meetings.
New Delhi: The Ministry of Rural Development is fully prepared to counter the opposition's attacks regarding the VB-G Ram Ji scheme. The ministry has dispatched a comprehensive report on the scheme to all central ministers, allowing them to factually refute opposition charges on public platforms and during rallies. This move comes as Congress has indicated it will launch a protest campaign against the new scheme, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Why a detailed report was sent to ministers
The Ministry of Rural Development believes that several misconceptions are being spread regarding the VB-G Ram Ji scheme. To address these claims and allegations, ministers have been provided with a factual document. The report explains the scheme’s key features, objectives, and differences from the previous rural employment model in simple language.
According to a report, Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan informed ministers about every aspect of the scheme during a cabinet meeting. He also clarified that the scheme is not limited to providing employment but is a significant reform aimed at strengthening the rural economy.
Prime Minister’s clear instructions to ministers
It is reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also instructed ministers to fully understand the provisions of the new scheme. He believes that when ministers engage with people at the grassroots level, they must be able to provide clear and reliable answers to every question related to the scheme.
The Prime Minister emphasized that responses to opposition claims during public meetings should be based on facts and figures, not just political rhetoric. In this regard, the report has been prepared as a reference document for ministers.
The key promise of 125 days of employment
The biggest feature of the VB-G Ram Ji scheme is the increase in guaranteed employment days. The new scheme provides for providing 125 days of employment to rural families, while the previous limit was 100 days.
The government says this will increase income opportunities in rural areas and provide people with work for a longer period. Ministers will particularly highlight this point to clarify that the government has not reduced employment opportunities but has increased them.
New focus on durable assets
The new scheme does not only focus on wage payments. The government says that the previous model was mostly limited to paying wages, which did not result in the creation of long-lasting, useful assets.
The VB-G Ram Ji scheme places special emphasis on the construction of durable assets. This means that work will be undertaken in villages to strengthen irrigation, roads, water conservation, and other infrastructure. This is expected to benefit rural areas for a long time.
Impact on local livelihoods and migration
The ministry’s report also states that the scheme is designed to promote local livelihoods. The government claims that when sustainable sources of employment and income are available in villages, migration during times of crisis will automatically decrease.
Ministers will try to explain in public meetings that the new scheme is not just temporary relief but a means of creating permanent opportunities for rural youth and laborers.
Responding to the opposition on the funding model
The response to the allegations leveled by the opposition regarding funding is also included in this report. Ministers have been informed that under standard financing, the central government allocates funds to states based on predetermined criteria.
The government argues that this enables forecasting, fiscal discipline, and better budgetary planning. In contrast, a demand-based model often leads to uncertain allocation and financial imbalances. Ministers will dismiss the opposition’s claims through this comparison.
Accusation of spreading misinformation against Congress
Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has launched a sharp attack on Congress. He said that Congress is spreading misinformation regarding rural employment, the powers of Gram Panchayats, and the protection of workers. According to him, these allegations are completely baseless and misleading.
Chauhan clearly stated that the government has not weakened demand-based employment. He claimed that the new scheme takes full care of the safety and rights of workers.
