Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has strongly criticised a recent resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly against a new central job guarantee law, labelling it a politically motivated act filled with misinformation.
Political Motive vs. Welfare Reform
On Monday, Saini addressed reporters, terming the Punjab Assembly's December 30 resolution against the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar Aajeevika Mission (Grameen) Act, or VB-G RAM G Act, as “political” and completely lacking in factual basis or constructive alternatives. He accused the Congress and the AAP, which leads the Punjab government, of running a campaign of falsehoods against the legislation that replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
“If any scheme is improved, Congress and INDI Alliance have a problem with that. Every time welfare reforms are introduced for the poor, they begin questioning the initiatives,” Saini stated. He challenged the opposition, saying if they had genuine suggestions, they should have raised them in the Lok Sabha instead of avoiding debate.
Allegations of Systemic Corruption in MGNREGA
The Haryana CM launched a sharp attack on the previous implementation of MGNREGA, claiming it was riddled with corruption that deprived genuine workers. He cited a social audit conducted in 5,915 out of Punjab's 13,304 gram panchayats, which he said uncovered 10,663 cases of financial irregularities. These included illegal withdrawals made for activities like road and canal cleaning.
“The absence of biometric authentication and effective monitoring made it impossible to verify whether registered workers were genuine or whether wages reached the intended beneficiaries. As a result, funds were routinely siphoned off,” Saini alleged. He further claimed that despite central teams intervening, no recovery was made or action taken against the responsible parties in Punjab, leaving real labourers unpaid.
New Act Aims for Transparency and More Work
Defending the new VB-G RAM G Act, Saini positioned it as a fundamental overhaul of an outdated system. He argued that MGNREGA, launched nearly two decades ago, was designed for a different economic context and needed reform. “The fundamental overhaul will support genuine labourers ‘betrayed’ by the previous governments, with more guaranteed workdays, higher wages, transparent payments and creation of durable assets,” he explained.
Taking aim at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann specifically, Saini said the resolution reflected “political opportunism rather than concern for rural welfare.” He advised Mann to read the Act properly and accused opposition parties of deliberately misleading the public. Saini also threw a challenge, suggesting Mann should first ensure Punjab pays Rs 400 in wages like Haryana, instead of the current Rs 339, rather than engaging in “political theatrics.”
In conclusion, the Haryana Chief Minister asserted that the new Act is designed to end the corruption and inefficiencies of the past, ensuring that public money meant for labourers actually reaches them.
