NewKerala.com

Sachin Pilot Slams Centre: Why Remove Gandhi's Name from MGNREGA?

Congress leader Sachin Pilot has strongly criticised the government's move to rename the MGNREGA scheme. He accused the Centre of deliberately trying to make people forget the good work of previous governments. The bill was passed in Parliament amidst significant protests and disruptions from the opposition. Meanwhile, Union Minister Chirag Paswan defended the legislation and condemned the opposition's conduct.

Key Points: Sachin Pilot Criticises Modi Govt Renaming MGNREGA Scheme

  • Pilot questions the need to remove Mahatma Gandhi's name from the employment scheme
  • He argues the government previously called MGNREGA a mistake but kept it
  • The bill was passed amid major opposition protests and parliamentary uproar
  • Union Minister Chirag Paswan defends the bill, calling opposition behaviour shameful
3 min read

Centre doesn't want people to remember good work done by previous govts: Sachin Pilot on renaming MGNREGA

Congress leader Sachin Pilot questions the renaming of MGNREGA, accusing the Centre of trying to erase the legacy of previous governments' work.

"This government doesn't want people to remember the good work done by previous governments. - Sachin Pilot"

Mumbai, December 18

Congress leader Sachin Pilot expressed his discontent with the Central government over the renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025. He said the current government doesn't want people to remember the good work of previous governments.

Speaking to reporters, Sachin Pilot said, "Why did the government bring this bill? When Prime Minister Modi's government came to power in 2014, they said that MGNREGA was a big mistake of the Congress government. Even after 11 years, they haven't scrapped this scheme because it's a scheme that provides 100 days of employment. What was the need to remove the name of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, from this scheme? This government doesn't want people to remember the good work done by previous governments."

"They have brought this bill just to change the name; how will this benefit the public? The uproar in the Parliament was right. What is the problem with Mahatma Gandhi's name? The public will demand answers from them," he added.

He further said that in independent India, this was the first time that the name of Mahatma Gandhi was being removed from any scheme.

Earlier, Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Thursday lashed out at the Opposition for creating ruckus in the Parliament during the passing of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, saying that the role that the Opposition played in the passing of this Bill is "shameful".

The Union Minister alleged that the Congress MPs stood before the Chair and "shredded decorum".

Speaking to reporters, Paswan said, "G-RAM-G scheme was brought with an idea to strengthen the villages of the country - the idea to empower the poor, to minimise the distance between villages and cities. Mahatma Gandhi had said that India's soul lives in villages. With the idea of strengthening those villages, this scheme has been brought."

"I think that the role that the Opposition played in the passing of this Bill is shameful. The oldest party of the country trampled on old traditions, it can never be accepted. Do oppose, you have the right to do so. But if you want to further your mindset by demolishing decorum...Congress MPs stood before the Chair and shredded decorum. If you present your ideas like that, it is not in line with traditions and this will never be accepted," he further stated.

The Lok Sabha passed the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, which reframed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) with an employment guarantee scheme during the ongoing winter session of Parliament.

The bill was passed amid opposition protests, leading to repeated disruptions and the adjournment of the House after a ruckus.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an observer, I find this fascinating. If the core benefits remain the same, is the name change purely symbolic? It seems to have sparked more debate about legacy than about improving the scheme itself.
V
Vikram M
Honestly, the new name is a mouthful! "Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)"... who will remember this? MGNREGA was iconic. This feels like change for the sake of change. The disruption in Parliament was unfortunate though.
P
Priyanka N
My family in the village depends on this scheme for work. We don't care what it's called as long as the payments come on time and the work is available. Please focus on implementation, not just names and politics.
A
Aman W
While I respect Mahatma Gandhi, schemes should be evaluated on merit, not just by whose name is attached. If the government is rebranding it with a focus on "Viksit Bharat," let's see the actual improvements on the ground. Action over symbolism, please.
K
Karthik V
Both sides have a point. The opposition has a right to question, but disrupting Parliament is not the way. And the government should provide a clearer rationale beyond just a new name. This back-and-forth helps no one, especially the rural poor.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50