The central government is proactively preparing its ministers to defend the newly launched VB-G RAM G scheme against mounting political opposition. This move comes as the Congress party gears up to launch a formal protest against the scheme, which has replaced the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Cabinet Briefing and Ministerial Directive
During a crucial cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan personally briefed his fellow ministers on the salient features of the Vishwakarma Bima-Grameen Rozgar Aajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G). The briefing aimed to provide a clear comparative analysis, highlighting how the new initiative is an improvement over the previous rural employment guarantee programme.
Sources indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself instructed all ministers to become thoroughly conversant with the provisions of VB-G RAM G. The directive is clear: ministers must be equipped to effectively communicate the scheme's benefits in public forums and counter the narrative put forth by the opposition.
Key Points of Defense for Public Meetings
To ensure a unified and fact-based response, the Rural Development Ministry has circulated a detailed report to all central ministers. This document serves as a ready reckoner for ministers to refer to during public meetings and interactions. The core arguments they are instructed to emphasize include:
A significant increase in guaranteed employment days, from 100 under MGNREGA to 125 days under the new VB-G RAM G scheme. This is positioned as a direct enhancement of the social security net for rural households.
A strategic shift from a narrow focus on wage expenditure to the creation of durable assets. The government will argue that this leads to long-term rural infrastructure development, unlike the earlier model.
The scheme's design aims to create stronger local livelihood opportunities, thereby helping to reduce distress-driven migration from villages to cities. This is framed as a holistic approach to rural development.
Countering the Funding Model Critique
A major point of contention expected from the opposition is the change in the funding mechanism. The government's prepared response, as detailed in the ministerial report, defends the shift to a normative funding model.
Under this model, the central government allocates funds to states based on predefined, objective norms. The ministry's report asserts that this ensures predictability, fiscal discipline, and better budgetary planning for both the Centre and the states.
In contrast, the old demand-driven model of MGNREGA is described as often leading to uncertain fund allocations and potential fiscal misalignment, as expenditures were tied to unpredictable demand for work.
The stage is now set for a heated political debate on rural employment policies. With ministers armed with official data and talking points, the government aims to proactively shape public perception of VB-G RAM G as a superior, more sustainable successor to MGNREGA.
