Manipur BJP slams Congress over opposition to VB-GRAM-G, calls it “political propaganda”

The Manipur Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, January 14 launched a sharp counterattack on the Congress party for criticising the Centre’s newly introduced Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-GRAM-G] Act, accusing it of deliberately misleading rural communities and politicising a welfare initiative aimed at strengthening livelihoods and accelerating rural development.

 

Addressing a press conference here, Manipur BJP Pradesh President A. Sharda Devi termed the Congress campaign against the VB-GRAM-G Act “unfortunate and irresponsible,” asserting that it was driven purely by political motives rather than concern for farmers or rural workers.

 

“The Congress party’s opposition to the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act is nothing but a calculated attempt to spread false information and create confusion among the rural population for narrow political gains,” Sharda said.

 

Clarifying the intent behind the new legislation, Sharda said the VB-GRAM-G Act replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, with a stronger focus on productivity, income security, and sustainable rural growth.

 

“With the introduction of VB-GRAM-G, the number of guaranteed workdays has been increased from 100 to 125 days. This automatically translates into higher wage earnings and enhanced livelihood security for rural households,” she added.

 

Responding to Congress objections over the renaming of the scheme, the BJP leader dismissed the criticism as politically selective. She pointed out that Mahatma Gandhi’s name was added to the employment scheme only in 2005, a year after its launch in 2004, without triggering political controversy at the time.

 

“Renaming or restructuring welfare schemes based on evolving national priorities is not unprecedented. The Congress chose silence then, but is raising objections now for political convenience,” Sharda remarked.

 

Reaffirming the BJP’s commitment to farmers and rural communities, Sharda said their contribution is central to India’s development journey. “Without the support and cooperation of farmers and rural workers, India cannot become a developed nation. That is why the Modi government has placed them at the core of its Viksit Bharat agenda,” she said.

 

Drawing a comparison between the two parties’ track records, Sharda claimed that during the Congress-led government’s 10-year tenure, ₹2.5 lakh crore was spent on MGNREGA, whereas the BJP-led government has spent ₹8.5 lakh crore over a similar period, underscoring what she described as the BJP’s stronger commitment to rural welfare.

 

She further outlined the key features of the VB-GRAM-G Act, stating that it guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, along with a cumulative 60-day no-work window to ensure the availability of agricultural labour during peak sowing and harvesting seasons.

 

Highlighting institutional reforms, Sharda said the new Act also places strong emphasis on technology-driven monitoring systems, which will enhance transparency, reduce leakages, and ensure timely wage payments.

 

“The VB-GRAM-G Act is not just a welfare scheme; it is a structural reform aimed at empowering rural India and ensuring inclusive growth,” she asserted.