New rural job scheme is transparent & progressive: Pralhad Joshi

Hubballi/Kalaburagi: Defending the Centre’s move to replace Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the new scheme was more transparent and effective and would eliminate corruption.

Joshi told reporters here on Sunday that the Congress had been spreading lies about the Bill (which has now become a law) and misleading people. 

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday gave assent to VB-G RAM G Bill. The Act enhances statutory wage employment guarantee to 125 days per year for rural households. 

Joshi said the new bill (Act) increases guaranteed wage employment for unskilled labourers from 100 to 125 days a year and allows labourers to work in fields in peak agriculture season. “It has stronger accountability and robust transparency mechanisms, reducing leakages and misuse of funds,” he said.

Real-time digital tracking, geotagged assets and direct benefit transfers have been included, Joshi said.

“The MGNREGA failed to create durable assets and was marred by corruption. I had exposed a scam under it in Dharwad district and had written to CM Siddaramaiah, but no action was taken. Under the new Act, there is no scope for corruption,” he said.