Respect Gandhiji’s legacy: Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam raises concerns on VB-G RAM G bill

Manipur’s Member of Parliament, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, on Thursday, December 17 raised four key concerns in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the VB-G RAM G Bill, urging lawmakers to rise above partisan divisions and adopt a more consultative approach on legislation impacting citizens’ rights and livelihoods.

Participating in the debate, Dr. Akoijam began by underscoring the importance of safeguarding the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, cautioning against any attempts to diminish his historical and moral contribution. He recalled a widely referenced observation that the modern world has been profoundly shaped by four towering figures—Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, Albert Einstein, and Mahatma Gandhi—with Gandhi standing out as the sole non-Jew among them. Dr. Akoijam stressed that Gandhiji’s ideals remain central to India’s democratic and ethical framework and must be respected across political lines.

Turning to landmark parliamentary legislations, the MP highlighted the Right to Information (RTI) Act and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as two of Parliament’s most consequential achievements. He noted that while RTI has strengthened democratic accountability by empowering citizens to question the State, MGNREGA draws its constitutional strength from the Right to Work, which, he argued, flows directly from the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Expressing concern over persistent rural distress, Dr. Akoijam urged the Government to strengthen the implementation of MGNREGA. He called for an increase in the guaranteed employment period from the current provision to 125–150 days and advocated for raising the minimum daily wage to at least ₹500, stating that such measures were essential to ensure the law meaningfully supports rural livelihoods.

Concluding his intervention, Dr. Akoijam appealed for a more cooperative and consultative relationship between the Government and the Opposition, particularly on legislation affecting citizens’ rights and economic security. He further requested that the VB-G RAM G Bill be referred to a Select Committee to allow for detailed scrutiny, wider consultation, and the building of broader parliamentary consensus.