Congress shedding crocodile tears on rural jobs scheme: Chouhan

On the day the Congress held a meeting with the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to announce a nationwide campaign against the scrapping of MGNREGA, Union Rural Development and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan termed the party’s “spread” as “purely political”.

On social media site (MGNREGA was introduced by the Congress-led UPA government in 2006).

“The fuss of the Congress is purely political. The Congress lacked both intention and policy. This is the same Congress that attached Mahatma Gandhi’s name to its electoral gains. This is the same Congress that reduced the budget for MGNREGA from time to time. This is the same Congress that froze wages. Today Congress leaders are shedding crocodile tears,” he said.

Lists key phrases

Continuing his post, the BJP leader said: “Employment has not decreased under this scheme, on the contrary, it has been further strengthened. The number of working days has been increased from 100 to 125 days. There is a provision for unemployment benefits in case work is not provided within the stipulated time and in case of a delay in payment of wages, there is a provision for additional compensation for delayed payment.”

He said that under the law, gram sabhas and panchayats have been given powers to identify and prioritize work. “Responsibility for implementation, monitoring and quality assurance was provided at the local level. In addition, provision was made for public audit of expenditure and payments, making social audits mandatory. Special emphasis was given to the active participation of women, self-help groups and the community.”

“Not every panchayat is the same. Arrangements have been made to provide more funds, more assistance and more opportunities for the most backward panchayats, where there is still a dire need for employment and lack of basic infrastructure,” he added.

He said special emphasis was placed on sustainable income growth through transparent and time-bound payments, as well as the creation of livelihood-related assets and jobs. “Here, rights are not given in a pitiful way, they are given security and dignity,” he said.

However, it did not respond to the Opposition’s main criticism that the funds were divided between the Center and the States and that the bulk of the financial responsibility for the scheme now lies with the States.