"Removing Mahatma Gandhi's name unacceptable; new law offers no job guarantee": Supriya Shrinate

Speaking to ANI, Shrinate said, "We disagree with removing Mahatma Gandhi's name. The way they have completely scrapped such a massive scheme that guaranteed employment is unacceptable. This new law offers no guarantee of work."

She further attacked the acronym used in the bill's naming, stating, "And yes, it doesn't include the name of Lord Ram. He is our revered deity and God, a symbol of our faith and values... They have created an acronym: R for Rojgar (employment), A for Ajeevika (livelihood), and M for Mission. They should not insult Lord Ram in this way... What they are doing is completely wrong."

Shrinate warned that the Congress party would oppose the changes vigorously, adding, "In the coming days, millions of people will take to the streets."

During the recently concluded winter session, the Parliament passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB--G RAM G) Bill, with the Rajya Sabha approving the legislation hours after the Lok Sabha passed it.

The Bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, up from the existing 100 days, for adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work.

As per Section 22 of the Bill, the fund-sharing pattern between the Central Government and the State Governments will be 60:40, while for the North Eastern States, Himalayan States, and Union Territories (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir), it will be 90:10.

Section 6 of the Bill allows the state governments to notify in advance, a period aggregating to sixty days in a financial year, covering the peak agricultural seasons of sowing and harvesting.

As per Section 22 of the Bill, the fund-sharing pattern between the Central Government and the State Governments will be 60:40, while for the North Eastern States, Himalayan States, and Union Territories (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir), it will be 90:10. (ANI)