New Delhi: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday responded to the opposition’s criticism of the Viksit Bharat – Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Rural) Act (VB-G RAM G). He alleged that Congress leaders are spreading misinformation about the act and trying to create confusion among the people.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday, Chouhan defended the act, saying that the scheme promotes collaborative work among farmers and laborers at the grassroots level. He said, “What is wrong if our laborer brothers and sisters and farmers work together? I would once again like to tell Rahul ji and Kharge ji that this kind of lying does not suit you.”
He urged the opposition to refrain from running a “shop of lies” and misrepresenting facts. Referring to the statements and online posts of Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Chouhan asked, “AI-generated images are being posted to spread misinformation. Is this right in a democracy? Why are you posting AI-generated images? Are you not getting the support of the people?”
He told the opposition, “I would like to say once again that they should shut down this shop of lies.”
On the Congress’s “Save MNREGA campaign,” Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “This is not Gandhi’s truth; this is a mockery of the truth. I have heard about movements and campaigns, but ‘Sangram’ (struggle), what kind of terminology is this?”
Chouhan further emphasized that Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, persons with disabilities, and the poor are at the heart of the government’s employment promise. Speaking about the situation in villages, Chouhan said that more than 85 percent of Indian farmers are small and marginal farmers who need more support during the sowing and harvesting seasons. He said that the new law empowers Gram Panchayats to make decisions based on local needs, ensuring transparent and decentralized planning. The Union Agriculture Minister said that due to the transition period, the Act would be implemented within six months, and until then, MNREGA would remain in effect. He also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s absence during the parliamentary debate on this issue. Chauhan appealed to the opposition to “understand and support the truth” instead of politicizing welfare reforms.
