RJD MP Manoj Jha strongly criticised the Centre’s move to replace MGNREGA with a new law called the G RAM G Bill. He said Ram name is not a license for everything, warning that the government cannot justify policy changes by using religious symbolism. Ram name is not a license for everything, Jha repeated while speaking in the Rajya Sabha.
Jha argued that MGNREGA is a rights-based law that guarantees work to rural families. He said the new bill weakens this guarantee and gives more control to the Centre. According to him, workers may suffer due to reduced financial responsibility of the Union government.
He also objected to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme. Jha said Gandhi’s name represents dignity of labour and social justice. He questioned why the government felt the need to remove it.
The RJD leader pointed out that although the bill promises 125 days of work, it allows states to stop work for several days. He said this makes the guarantee uncertain for poor families.
Opposition parties have raised similar concerns and accused the government of diluting labour rights. The BJP, however, has defended the bill and said it will improve rural employment delivery.
