Chhattisgarh Assembly Erupts in Chaos as Congress Boycotts Over MNREGA Funding Dispute
The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly was thrown into complete disarray and pandemonium on Tuesday after the Opposition Congress party staged a dramatic boycott of all proceedings. This protest action was triggered when the Speaker of the Assembly firmly rejected the Congress party's adjournment notice concerning the highly contentious Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), commonly referred to as VB-G RAM G.
Core of the Controversy: Alleged Weakening of MNREGA
Congress legislators launched a fierce attack, alleging that the BJP-led Central Government is systematically weakening and undermining the foundational Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) by proposing to replace it with this new mission. They presented a detailed financial argument, claiming a significant and detrimental shift in the funding structure.
"The funding pattern under MNREGA previously operated on a 90:10 ratio between the Centre and the state," argued Congress members. "This has now been unilaterally altered to a 60:40 ratio. This means the Central government's contribution is reduced to just 60%, forcing the state government to bear a burdensome 40% of the financial load."
Historical Significance and Political Standoff
Weighing in on the critical nature of the program, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel emphasized that the MNREGA Act of 2005 stands as one of the nation's largest and most vital employment-generating initiatives. He stated it has consistently provided crucial support to lakhs of laborers and rural households across Chhattisgarh and India. Citing the urgency of the matter, the Congress party formally demanded an immediate discussion through an adjournment motion to address what they termed a "grave assault on rural livelihoods."
The situation escalated when senior BJP legislator Ajay Chandrakar sharply interrupted the proceedings. He pointed out an apparent contradiction, noting that the Opposition had indicated on Monday its intention to abstain from the day's business. "They are now clearly doing politics and disrupting the House," Chandrakar asserted, accusing the Congress of procedural bad faith.
The Boycott and Its Aftermath
In a firm response, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) declared that the party would formally move the adjournment motion as a final procedural step before proceeding with the complete boycott. Following this announcement, Congress legislators staged a walkout, bringing the day's legislative business to a grinding halt. The assembly chamber was left in a state of uproar, highlighting the deep political fissures over central welfare schemes and their implementation in the state.
This incident underscores the ongoing and intense political battles in Chhattisgarh, where the interpretation and execution of flagship national programs like MNREGA remain a flashpoint between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, with significant implications for rural employment and state finances.
