The Bharatiya Janata Party's Punjab unit initiated a major statewide public outreach effort on Wednesday, kicking off from the village of Kheowali Dhaba in Fazilka district. The campaign is centered on promoting the central government's Viksit Bharat Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), known as VB-GRAM (G).
Countering Misinformation and Alleging Corruption
State BJP President Sunil Jakhar spearheaded the launch, stating the drive aims to correct what he called deliberate misinformation spread by opposition parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress. Jakhar argued that reforms ensuring money reaches the poor directly face opposition from those who previously profited. "When the rightful money of the poor no longer goes into the pockets of leaders and contractors, those who benefited from corruption oppose such reforms," he said.
He positioned the VB-GRAM scheme as a transformative initiative that would eliminate middlemen and guarantee funds intended for poor laborers are transferred to them without leakage. A key improvement highlighted was the increase in guaranteed employment days from 100 to 125 annually, promising greater financial security for workers.
Sharp Criticism of AAP Government's MGNREGS Record
Launching a direct attack on the ruling AAP in Punjab, Jakhar presented a damning critique of its handling of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). He alleged that over 6,500 corruption cases had been identified under the scheme in the state, but the Bhagwant Mann-led government had failed to act against a single individual involved in "looting the poor."
Further intensifying his criticism, Jakhar claimed that the Punjab government had provided an average of only 26 days of employment under MGNREGS this year. He singled out Fazilka district, stating the average there was a shockingly low 17 days. This, he contrasted with the enhanced provisions of the new VB-GRAM scheme.
Personal Jibes and Political Accusations
The event also saw Jakhar level a personal accusation against Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. In a charged remark, Jakhar alleged, "Warring does not bow before Lord Ram, but instead visits Bhagwant Mann in disguise. Now that it's winter, he goes wearing a hoodie, with a cap on his head and his face covered. And yet, he's objecting to the name of God." This comment added a sharply personal and religious dimension to the political confrontation.
In conclusion, Jakhar framed the VB-GRAM scheme as a pivotal tool for rural development and laborer empowerment. "The scheme created by the government of India to strengthen the labourers and develop rural areas is being misrepresented. This new scheme will empower the labourers and more money will be spent in the villages," he asserted, setting the stage for a state-wide political battle over welfare schemes and governance.
