Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Ludhiana have launched a strong counterattack against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress for their resistance to the central government's revamped rural employment guarantee scheme, branding their opposition as a "morally void" move to shield corrupt practices.
Constitutional Standoff and Financial Rebuttal
At a press conference held on Friday at the party's district office, senior functionary S R Ladhar and district president Rajnesh Dhiman staunchly defended the G RAM G initiative. They argued that the Punjab government's attempts to challenge the scheme through state assembly resolutions hold no constitutional validity, as state laws cannot override acts passed by the Parliament of India.
Directly countering claims of reduced funding, Ladhar presented detailed financial figures. The total central allocation under the new G RAM G framework exceeds ₹1.51 lakh crore, which he stated represents a significant increase, especially when mandatory state contributions are included. He emphasized that the scheme now guarantees 125 days of work, up from the previous 100 days, and includes a provision for a guaranteed unemployment allowance if work is not provided within 15 days.
Digital Overhaul to Curb Corruption
A major part of the BJP's defense centered on the scheme's enhanced transparency and anti-corruption measures. Ladhar accused the AAP and Congress of deliberately "spreading confusion" because the new digital architecture would close loopholes used for graft. The system will employ geo-tagging for all infrastructure projects and use Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to send wages directly to workers' accounts.
Furthermore, mandatory digital attendance and real-time monitoring dashboards are designed to eliminate "ghost" or fake laborers from the rolls. "Those who are uncomfortable with transparency are the ones opposing this," Ladhar asserted. He framed G RAM G as a initiative focused on the dignity of labor and honest governance, bringing a level of financial discipline that the opposition parties allegedly wish to avoid.
Questioning Punjab's Unique Resistance
Ladhar also pointed to what he called a puzzling inconsistency. He noted that the scheme's criteria and monitoring systems are being implemented uniformly across all BJP-ruled states without any major issues. He questioned why the Punjab leadership, in particular, was "raising a hue and cry" over a pro-poor initiative that has been accepted elsewhere in the country.
"Instead of discussing efficiency and financial management, the opposition is prioritizing vested interests over the welfare of the poor," he added. The press event was also attended by other prominent district officials, including general secretary Yashpal Janotra and vice-president Manish Chopra.
Key upgrades under the G RAM G scheme include:
- Increase in work guarantee from 100 to 125 days.
- Provision of unemployment allowance if work is not found within 15 days.
- Mandatory digital attendance and geo-tagged assets to prevent corruption.
- A total central allocation of ₹1.51 lakh crore.
The BJP's forceful defense in Ludhiana sets the stage for an intensified political debate in Punjab over the implementation and implications of the restructured rural employment guarantee program.
