THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Jan 5: BJP State President and Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi on Monday strongly criticised the Congress Party for opposing the G Ram Ji Yojana under the VB Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural), accusing it of misleading the public and opposing schemes meant for the poor.
“Congress Hates Developed India and Lord Ram”
Marandi said the Congress must explain why it hates a developed India and Lord Shri Ram. He alleged that the party is deliberately opposing a scheme aimed at employing with dignity to the poor, tribals, and backward classes.
“The G Ram Ji Yojana has been designed in the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, yet Congress is protesting against it,” he said.
Employment Guarantee Increased to 125 Days
The BJP leader said that under the new scheme, every rural family will get 125 days of guaranteed employment per year, compared to 100 days earlier. There is also a provision for an unemployment allowance if work is not provided.
“Congress does not like schemes that benefit the poor. It is accustomed to loot and corruption,” he alleged.
Modi Government Spent More on MNREGA
Marandi said the Congress should remember that the Modi government has spent the maximum amount on MNREGA.
Out of ₹11.74 lakh crore spent on MNREGA so far, the Modi government alone has spent ₹8.53 lakh crore, he said.
Congress Changed Names Repeatedly: Marandi
Responding to Congress objections over the name of the scheme, Marandi said the party itself had changed the names of over 600 institutions, schemes, and awards during its rule.
He said:
- In 1980, employment schemes were merged into the National Rural Employment Programme
- Later renamed Jawahar Rozgar Yojana
- Changed to NREGA in 2004 and MNREGA in 2005
- Rural Housing Scheme renamed Indira Awas Yojana
- Rural Electrification renamed Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme
In Jharkhand, the Congress-supported government even renamed Atal Clinic, named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, after Mother Teresa, he said.
“For Modi Government, Work Matters, Not Names”
Marandi said Congress believes in forcibly naming schemes after the Nehru-Gandhi family, while for the Modi government, work speaks louder than names.
He asked whether renaming schemes earlier amounted to insulting Jawaharlal Nehru, as Congress now claims.
New Scheme Uses Technology, Ends Corruption
He said MNREGA was launched in 2005, but rural India has changed. Connectivity has improved and livelihoods have diversified, making the old model outdated.
Under the G Ram Ji Yojana, there will be:
- Real-time data uploads
- Mobile-based monitoring
- AI-based fraud detection
- Weekly wage payments
This will ensure benefits reach the right beneficiaries, he said.
Farmers and Labourers Both Protected
Marandi said work under the scheme will remain suspended for 60 days a year, including sowing and harvesting seasons, unlike MNREGA where corruption allegedly continued even during farming periods.
“Congress Troubled by Name of Ram”
Marandi alleged that Congress is troubled by the idea of a developed India and the name of Lord Shri Ram, and that is why it is conspiring against the scheme.
He said patriotic leaders like Sardar Patel, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, and Lal Bahadur Shastri were sidelined during Congress rule, while schemes and awards were named after the Gandhi family.
Modi Linked Governance with Service
He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not name schemes after himself or his family but linked governance with service, citing examples like:
- Raj Bhavan renamed Lok Bhavan
- Rajpath renamed Kartavya Path
- Race Course Road renamed Lok Kalyan Marg
