Contention Over MGNREGA Replacement Bill

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticizes the government's bill replacing MGNREGA, asserting it undermines the original act's employment guarantee. She questions the Modi government's penchant for renaming schemes and warns of reduced local control over the allocation of resources, challenging the bill's provisions.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday sharply criticized the government's proposed bill to replace MGNREGA. The proposed legislation, she argues, weakens the original act's guarantee of 100 days of employment for the poorest citizens.

Gandhi Vadra also questioned the government's focus on renaming schemes, suggesting it imposes a financial burden. "Firstly, the process of renaming schemes costs the country a lot," she stated. Despite promising additional workdays, the new bill has not proposed higher wages, she added.

The opposition party claims this move attacks the essence of rights-based employment guarantees, shifting the decision-making powers from local gram panchayats to the Center, a change that has caused significant backlash.

(With inputs from agencies.)