Awareness drive on VB G RAM G Act from January 15: B Y Vijayendra

Bengaluru: BJP state president B Y Vijayendra on Tuesday announced that the state unit would conduct an awareness programme from January 15 to February 28 about the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB G RAM G Act), which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

Addressing reporters, Vijayendra said: “This will be held at the district level and also at the taluk level (Assembly constituencies). We will go to all villages as well and conduct the awareness programme.”

He noted that a committee had been formed under the leadership of BJP State Secretary P Rajeev. The committee also comprises Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Kota Srinivasa Poojari, Iranna Kadadi and so on. 

Vijayendra said programmes would be held at the district and taluk levels too, where similar committees are expected to be formed. 

He said the BJP condemned the Congress for spreading “misinformation” about the new Act.

Speaking about the decision to change Mahatma Gandhi’s name, he said: “It could be Mahatma Gandhi or Babasaheb Ambedkar, good things are happening in their name. There has been no disrespect to them.”

Defending the VB G RAM G Act, Chitradurga MP Govind Karjol said the guarantee of 100 days of employment provided by MGNREGA had been increased to 125 days under the present Act.

He also flayed the argument of the opposition that the local bodies had been undermined.

“Earlier, the gram panchayats were implementing the scheme. Even now, they will only do it. There’s no difference.”