Govt Defends ‘New Rural Employment Scheme’, Slams Congress Over ‘Misleading Campaign’
Union Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan clarified updates on the New Rural Employment Scheme, addressing recent Congress criticisms and explaining major reforms for transparency, employment benefits, and rural development. Read the full update on CareerFocusNow.
Overview of the New Rural Employment Scheme
The Union government has launched the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Yojana, a new rural employment initiative aimed at addressing the gaps in MGNREGA and enhancing transparency, efficiency, and benefits for rural workers. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted that while MGNREGA provided a lifeline in the past, its execution over time led to irregularities, misuse of funds, and inflated worker rolls.
The government stressed that the revamped scheme focuses on creating durable infrastructure, empowering local governance, and ensuring timely wages for rural workers. It also introduces penalties for delayed wage payments and strengthens unemployment allowances.
Why the Government Criticized Congress’ Campaign
During a press conference, the Union Minister sharply criticized the Congress' “Save MGNREGA Movement” as misleading and aimed at shielding corruption rather than protecting rural workers. BJP leaders accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation and boycotting parliamentary debates regarding rural employment reforms.
Key Reforms in the New Scheme
- Guaranteed employment days increased from 100 to 125 per year.
- Introduction of penalties for delayed wage payments.
- Empowering gram sabhas and elected village representatives to determine local development priorities.
- Focus on durable assets like schools, roads, irrigation canals, check dams, health centres, and livelihood projects for self-help groups.
- Increased allocations for technical staff and employment assistants for smooth scheme implementation.
- Bottom-up planning approach to ensure self-reliant villages and employment-rich programs.
Financial Allocations and Implementation
The Union government highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, rural employment and development have seen unprecedented allocations exceeding ₹8.48 lakh crore. Funding ratios remain consistent: 60:40 for most states, 90:10 for hill and North-eastern states, and 100% for Union Territories. This ensures that states can implement the program without undue financial burden while maintaining accountability and efficiency.
Social Audits and Transparency Measures
Social audits conducted in village assemblies have historically uncovered more than a million complaints, including inflated worker rolls and fictitious beneficiaries. The new scheme strengthens auditing processes, requiring all projects to undergo village-level scrutiny to prevent misuse and ensure benefits reach actual workers.
Benefits for Rural Workers and Farmers
Farmers will benefit from labour support during peak agricultural seasons. Workers will receive guaranteed wages for up to 125 days, unemployment allowances if work is unavailable, and strengthened social security provisions. The program also ensures that skill development and self-help group initiatives provide long-term livelihood opportunities.
Political Reactions and Criticism
The Congress’ campaign argued that the new scheme undermines employment guarantees and imposes extra burdens on states. The Union government countered these claims, labeling Congress as “development-averse” and emphasizing that reforms were designed for efficiency and transparency. Union Minister Chouhan urged Congress to acknowledge these reforms rather than obstruct rural progress.
Historical Context of Rural Employment Programs
Since the launch of MGNREGA in 2006, rural employment schemes have evolved to address economic distress and provide livelihood security. However, issues like corruption, irregularities, and lack of local participation have limited their effectiveness. The new scheme aims to overcome these limitations by empowering villages, increasing accountability, and providing clear timelines for wage disbursement.
Future Outlook
With the new reforms, the government expects enhanced rural infrastructure, higher employment coverage, and stronger social security for workers. By engaging local communities, strengthening audits, and focusing on durable assets, the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Yojana seeks to transform rural India into a self-reliant, employment-rich environment.
Official Links
| Link | Action |
| Official Press Release on New Rural Employment Scheme | Click Here |
| Union Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development | Visit Here |
No comments:
Post a Comment