New Delhi [India], January 4 : Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday strongly criticised the Congress for announcing the 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram', accusing the party of shielding corruption rather than safeguarding the interests of rural workers.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Chouhan said the proposed agitation against the newly enacted Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act was politically motivated.
"This is not a movement to protect MGNREGA; it is a movement to protect corruption. Congress has a problem with villages, with work, and even with Ram. Corruption is in the DNA of Congress," the Union Minister said.
Chouhan alleged that MGNREGA had become synonymous with corruption during earlier regimes, with machines replacing labourers, contractors operating in the name of workers, and funds being siphoned off.
Citing social audit findings, Chouhan said Gram Sabhas had recorded over 10 lakh complaints.
"The same road was being built year after year. Money was embezzled in the name of canal and roadside cleaning. Labourers over 80 years old were shown as working," he claimed.
Comparing allocations, the Union Minister said that over Rs 8.48 lakh crore had been provided during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while around Rs 2 lakh crore was allocated during the UPA years, questioning whether durable assets were created earlier.
Rejecting Congress's claim that workers would lose employment, Chouhan said labour interests had been strengthened, with employment assurance increased to 125 days, stronger provisions for unemployment allowance, and penalties for delayed wage payments. He added that decision-making power now rests with Gram Sabhas and Panchayats, ensuring decentralised, transparent governance.
Meanwhile, the Congress on Saturday announced a nationwide three-phase agitation titled 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' against the VB-G RAM G Act.
The campaign begins on January 8 with preparatory meetings at PCC offices, followed by district-level press conferences on January 10 and a one-day fast on January 11.
Phase two will run from January 12 to January 30 with panchayat-level programmes, while phase three will include district dharnas till February 6 and state-level protests up to February 15, culminating in zonal rallies later in February.