Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: Senior BJP leader and Executive Member of BJP J&K UT, Advocate Devraj Sharma, today accused J&K Congress leaders of deliberately spreading misinformation about the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, asserting that the new legislation will further strengthen the right to work and rural development across the country.
In a statement issued here, Adv Devraj Sharma referred to the Congress party’s nationwide agitation titled “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram”, launched on January 10 against the VB-G RAM G Act which is set to replace the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He alleged that the Congress is misleading people by falsely claiming that employment under the new law would be restricted to only selected panchayats.
Terming such claims as “baseless and misleading,” Adv Devraj said that by spreading misinformation about the VB-G RAM G Act, Congress leaders are weakening their own credibility instead of serving public interest. “The Congress has abandoned its original idea and ideology. Today the guiding principle is ‘nation first’ and holistic development. The VB-G RAM G Act is aimed at strengthening villages and empowering rural India,” he asserted.
Responding to Congress allegations that the “soul” of MGNREGA is being destroyed, Adv Devraj Sharma claimed that while the UPA government spoke of the right to work largely on paper, the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured its effective implementation on the ground. He said the Modi government has spent nearly ₹9 lakh crore on rural employment, compared to about ₹2 lakh crore during the UPA regime.
He further claimed that out of nearly 10 crore assets created under MGNREGA, about 8.5 crore assets were built during the tenure of the Narendra Modi government, reflecting the NDA’s commitment to rural infrastructure and employment generation. “The claim that the right to work is being snatched away is a complete lie,” he said.
Adv Devraj Sharma emphasized that the BJP-led government has not only strengthened employment guarantees but has also expanded them. “Instead of 100 days, the BJP government is now providing 125 days of work. There is also a provision for unemployment allowance within 15 days. Congress gave rights on paper; we have delivered them on the ground,” he remarked.
Clarifying another concern raised by the opposition, he said that the VB-G RAM G scheme would be implemented in all panchayats, not selectively as alleged by Congress leaders. He also dismissed criticism over the 60:40 Centre–state funding ratio, stating that there would be no additional burden on states, as the Centre is contributing a larger share and state investment would help strengthen village-level infrastructure.
Adv Devraj Sharma informed that a provision of ₹1,51,282 crore has been proposed for the coming financial year, with over ₹95,600 crore to be contributed by the Centre. Addressing apprehensions about dilution of the demand-driven nature of the scheme, he clarified that it would continue to remain demand-driven, with a renewed focus on productive and meaningful works identified by gram panchayats.
He added that the VB-G RAM G Act would be implemented within six months and until then, the existing MGNREGA would continue. Reiterating his stand, Adv Devraj Sharma firmly rejected Congress allegations and maintained that the VB-G RAM G Act strengthens, rather than weakens, rural employment guarantees, ensuring sustainable development and dignity of labour in rural India.
