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Badal seeks rollback of VB-G RAM G Act, ‘it will affect poor’

Addressing the media in Amritsar, Badal said the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) ensured 100 days of employment and it was completely funded by the Centre.

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Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal (File)

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday demanded that the Centre withdraw the VB-G RAM G Act, saying it will adversely impact the poor and put additional financial burden on states. Badal also demanded that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme be restored.

The former deputy chief minister’s remarks came a day after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, which replaces the MGNREGA and has a provision for 125 days of wage employment for rural workers.

Addressing the media in Amritsar, Badal said the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) ensured 100 days of employment and it was completely funded by the Centre.

Referring to the VB-G RAM G Act, he said, “The government should withdraw its decision as it will directly impact the lives of the poor.” He also criticised the government’s decision to drop Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural employment law. “Mahatma Gandhi ji was that person who fought for the country’s freedom. If any scheme is run in his name, it should not be changed,” the SAD leader said.

Badal said the new law requires states to share 40 per cent of the expenses and this will put additional financial burden on them.

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