Congress shedding crocodile tears on rural jobs scheme: Chouhan

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture, stated that the Congress's criticism of the new "Viksit Bharat G-Ram-G Act" replacing the MGNREGA is purely political. He argued that employment has been strengthened under the new scheme, with increased days and provisions for unemployment allowance and delayed payment compensation. The act also empowers gram sabhas and panchayats in work identification, prioritization, implementation, monitoring, quality assurance, and public review of expenditures. Chouhan emphasized the focus on sustainable income growth through transparent payments and asset creation linked to livelihoods.