The much-contested Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill has got President Droupadi Murmu's assent, according to the Rural Development Ministry. The Bill, which will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), was passed by the Parliament this week after strong protests over some proposed changes, and naming it VB-G RAM G and omitting Mahatma Gandhi's name from the Rural Employment Scheme.&nbsp;Under the new law, rural households are entitled to 125 days of wage employment per year, up from 100, ensuring greater income stability and work predictability. The Act aims to transform rural employment into a development-focused program in line with the Centre’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.The ministry, in a statement, said that Anchored in the principles of empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation, the Act seeks to transform rural employment from a standalone welfare intervention into an integrated instrument of development.&nbsp;It strengthens income security for rural households, modernises governance and accountability, and links wage employment with the creation of durable and productive rural assets, thereby laying the foundation for a prosperous and resilient Rural Bharat.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-visa-centre-in-bangladesh-suspends-operations-in-chittagong-amid-unrest-bangladesh-indian-visa-centre-yunus-1766313094594">Indian visa centre in Bangladesh's Chittagong suspends operations amid unrest</a>&nbsp;The Act provides a statutory guarantee of not less than 125 days of wage employment per rural household in each financial year to households whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work (Section 5(1)), said the statement.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Congress national president, Mallikarjun Kharge, condemned the new law, criticising the lack of empathy for rural labourers and the reduction in the Centre's contribution to rural employment. "MGNREGA is a lifeline for the poor. They are purposely destroying that, and they want to make the poor villagers and farm labourers slaves of the rich. That's why we fought to retain the MNREGA law, and all its provisions should remain as they are," he told to &nbsp;ANI.&nbsp;Opposition leaders had staged a 12-hour protest on the steps of the parliament, arguing the bill was hurried through both houses without proper debate. &nbsp;

The bill will replace the current rural employment scheme, MGNREGA, raising the guaranteed employment to 125 days per household annually.

The much-contested Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill has got President Droupadi Murmu's assent, according to the Rural Development Ministry. The Bill, which will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), was passed by the Parliament this week after strong protests over some proposed changes, and naming it VB-G RAM G and omitting Mahatma Gandhi's name from the Rural Employment Scheme. Under the new law, rural households are entitled to 125 days of wage employment per year, up from 100, ensuring greater income stability and work predictability. The Act aims to transform rural employment into a development-focused program in line with the Centre’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. The ministry, in a statement, said that Anchored in the principles of empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation, the Act seeks to transform rural employment from a standalone welfare intervention into an integrated instrument of development. It strengthens income security for rural households, modernises governance and accountability, and links wage employment with the creation of durable and productive rural assets, thereby laying the foundation for a prosperous and resilient Rural Bharat. Also Read: Indian visa centre in Bangladesh's Chittagong suspends operations amid unrest The Act provides a statutory guarantee of not less than 125 days of wage employment per rural household in each financial year to households whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work (Section 5(1)), said the statement. Meanwhile, the Congress national president, Mallikarjun Kharge, condemned the new law, criticising the lack of empathy for rural labourers and the reduction in the Centre's contribution to rural employment. "MGNREGA is a lifeline for the poor. They are purposely destroying that, and they want to make the poor villagers and farm labourers slaves of the rich. That's why we fought to retain the MNREGA law, and all its provisions should remain as they are," he told to ANI. Opposition leaders had staged a 12-hour protest on the steps of the parliament, arguing the bill was hurried through both houses without proper debate.

The bill will replace the current rural employment scheme, MGNREGA, raising the guaranteed employment to 125 days per household annually.

VB-G RAM G bill becomes law with President Murmu’s assent, set to replace MGNREGA

Indian Prime Minister Narendra on Saturday (March 9) launched a scathing attack against Trinamool Congress and the opposition's INDIA bloc claiming that the "entire country is discussing what TMC leaders did to the Dalit and Adivasi women of Sandeshkhali" and that the government of West Bengal is unaffected when people are struggling or suffering.

While addressing a gathering in Siliguri, PM Modi accused the TMC of creating 25 lakh fake job cards to benefit the party's "tolabaz".

"TMC government gives money to people chosen by 'tolabaz'. It does not affect TMC whether you are struggling or suffering. The entire country is discussing what TMC leaders did to the Dalit and Adivasi women of Sandeshkhali. Atrocities against women and to loot the hard-earned money of the poor this is what TMC's 'tolabaz' do," he said.

He then slammed the TMC over the release of MGNREGA wages and said that the BJP-ruled Centre sends the money but the TMC government steals it.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-dmk-allots-10-seats-for-congress-in-tamil-nadu-puducherry-698377">Lok Sabha elections 2024: DMK allots 10 seats for Congress in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry</a>

"TMC government is looting you at every step. Modi sends the money for MNREGA wages from Delhi but the TMC government here has looted you at every step. To benefit the TMC's 'tolabaz', 25 lakh fake job cards were created and given to the people. If Modi sends money to the poor's houses, then the TMC government gives your money to the people chosen by 'tolabaz'," the Indian prime minister said.

He then said that the entire country saw what West Bengal was going through but &nbsp;"first the left did not listen to you and then the TMC also ignored you. They were busy looting the land of the poor".

"Therefore, when you gave me the opportunity I gave back all those facilities to you all. We gave free gas connections to the sisters under the Ujjwala scheme, but the TMC government is not even allowing Ujjwala gas connections to more than 14 lakh sisters. Yesterday on Women's Day, we have taken another step that now the gas cylinder will become cheaper by Rs 100 more. The free ration scheme has also been extended for another five years," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra on Saturday (March 9) launched a scathing attack against Trinamool Congress and the opposition's INDIA bloc claiming that the "entire country is discussing what TMC leaders did to the Dalit and Adivasi women of Sandeshkhali" and that the government of West Bengal is unaffected when people are struggling or suffering.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra on Saturday (March 9) launched a scathing attack against Trinamool Congress and the opposition's INDIA bloc claiming that the "entire country is discussing what TMC leaders did to the Dalit and Adivasi women of Sandeshkhali" and that the government of West Bengal is unaffected when people are struggling or suffering. While addressing a gathering in Siliguri, PM Modi accused the TMC of creating 25 lakh fake job cards to benefit the party's "tolabaz". "TMC government gives money to people chosen by 'tolabaz'. It does not affect TMC whether you are struggling or suffering. The entire country is discussing what TMC leaders did to the Dalit and Adivasi women of Sandeshkhali. Atrocities against women and to loot the hard-earned money of the poor this is what TMC's 'tolabaz' do," he said. He then slammed the TMC over the release of MGNREGA wages and said that the BJP-ruled Centre sends the money but the TMC government steals it. Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: DMK allots 10 seats for Congress in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry "TMC government is looting you at every step. Modi sends the money for MNREGA wages from Delhi but the TMC government here has looted you at every step. To benefit the TMC's 'tolabaz', 25 lakh fake job cards were created and given to the people. If Modi sends money to the poor's houses, then the TMC government gives your money to the people chosen by 'tolabaz'," the Indian prime minister said. He then said that the entire country saw what West Bengal was going through but "first the left did not listen to you and then the TMC also ignored you. They were busy looting the land of the poor". "Therefore, when you gave me the opportunity I gave back all those facilities to you all. We gave free gas connections to the sisters under the Ujjwala scheme, but the TMC government is not even allowing Ujjwala gas connections to more than 14 lakh sisters. Yesterday on Women's Day, we have taken another step that now the gas cylinder will become cheaper by Rs 100 more. The free ration scheme has also been extended for another five years," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi launches scathing attack on TMC, says ‘Trinamool made fake MNREGA job cards’

Ahead of the fifth phase of elections&nbsp;in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/opposition-is-playing-hide-and-seek-after-fourth-phase-of-lok-sabha-polls-pm-modi-in-barabanki-214813">Ayodhya on May 6th</a>, PM Modi during a poll rally&nbsp;in Ambedkar Nagar of Ayodhya division&nbsp;said law and order had improved under the BJP government.&nbsp;

"Congress has been using the poor as a vote bank," the prime minister said at the rally. "I understand the pain of the poor," he added.

It is PM Modi's first visit to Ayodhya division since the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/be-it-pak-terrorists-or-traitors-on-our-own-soil-chowkidar-will-not-spare-anyone-pm-modi-214470">BJP-led NDA came</a> to power in 2014.

"Only the BJP worked for the poor," the prime minister said, adding, "BJP has kept the nation united."

"MNREGA has helped workers to build their own houses," he said&nbsp;while asserting that Ayushman Bharat had given free healthcare to many.&nbsp;

"Law and order improved under the BJP," he told the people gathered at the rally.

"No tea maker wants his child to become a tea maker," he told the crowd.

"Be it SP, BSP or Congress, it's necessary to know their reality. Behenji used the name of Babasaheb Ambedkar but she did everything just the opposite of his principles. SP used the name of Lohiaji but they destroyed the law and order situation in UP," he said at the Ambedkar Nagar rally in Ayodhya.

"Other governments never took proper action on terrorism," the prime minister said. "We will make the country free of terror," PM Modi said.

"Terrorists wait for weak government."

"We made sure everyone gets minimum pension of Rs 1000,"&nbsp;he said.

"This chowkidar made the world recognise Yoga Day," the PM asserted.

Ahead of the fifth phase of elections in Ayodhya on May 6th, PM Modi during a poll rally in Ambedkar Nagar of Ayodhya division said law and order had improved under the BJP government.

Ahead of the fifth phase of elections in Ayodhya on May 6th, PM Modi during a poll rally in Ambedkar Nagar of Ayodhya division said law and order had improved under the BJP government. "Congress has been using the poor as a vote bank," the prime minister said at the rally. "I understand the pain of the poor," he added. It is PM Modi's first visit to Ayodhya division since the BJP-led NDA came to power in 2014. "Only the BJP worked for the poor," the prime minister said, adding, "BJP has kept the nation united." "MNREGA has helped workers to build their own houses," he said while asserting that Ayushman Bharat had given free healthcare to many. "Law and order improved under the BJP," he told the people gathered at the rally. "No tea maker wants his child to become a tea maker," he told the crowd. "Be it SP, BSP or Congress, it's necessary to know their reality. Behenji used the name of Babasaheb Ambedkar but she did everything just the opposite of his principles. SP used the name of Lohiaji but they destroyed the law and order situation in UP," he said at the Ambedkar Nagar rally in Ayodhya. "Other governments never took proper action on terrorism," the prime minister said. "We will make the country free of terror," PM Modi said. "Terrorists wait for weak government." "We made sure everyone gets minimum pension of Rs 1000," he said. "This chowkidar made the world recognise Yoga Day," the PM asserted.

Law and order improved under BJP, says PM Modi in Uttar Pradesh ahead of fifth phase of polls

Amid a row over the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, Union Minister Smriti Irani said Friday that religious practices should be "respected" and anyone breaching them just to "make headlines" would do a great disservice to the country's diversity.

She said this during an event in Delhi University campus in response to a question from a student on Irani's recent comments on the issue where she said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate.

"I speak from personal experience. And, I said that publicly when I made that comment..I am married to a Zoroastrian, i.E., a Parsi, and by law, I am not allowed (to enter fire temple). And, by law means not by the Constitution but by laws that govern that particular religious practice," she said.

"Irrespective of how empowered I am, I am not allowed to enter a fire temple," Irani told a gathering of students at a business conclave event at Shri Ram College of Commerce here.

The textile minister said her earlier comments on the issue was to tell that there are religious practices across different communities.

"I have not gone to the Supreme Court, to tell Supreme Court to give me the power to barge into a fire temple, because I respect the religious beliefs of the community that I am associated with.

"That community says, I will not have access to a fire temple. I have to stand on the road when my children are inside, praying," she said.

She was asked why should there be a blanket restriction on women's entry to the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala, over objections from certain quarters.

"It is incumbent upon you to respect that religious practice because the Constitution gives us rights to be free, but it also impinges upon us responsibilities towards fellow citizens," she said.

Irani said there are "many temples" across the country, where "men are not allowed".

There are many churches, many mosques where restrictions are given for religious practices to be undertaken, she said.

"As individuals, it is our responsibility, given the diverse nature of communities in our country, to respect those tenets, and those practices.

"Do we breach practices only because we seek to make headlines or do we talk about only and only matters of faith. And, that is where my comments came from," she said.

"That if I breach somebody's religious practice only because my face will be in the newspaper, then I do great disservice to the diversity of India," Irani said.

On September 28 last year, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine.

Amid protests against the Supreme Court order opening the temple to women of all ages, Irani had in October said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate.

"I am nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict as I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense is that would you carry a napkin seeped with menstrual blood and walk into a friend's house. You would not," she had said then, adding, "And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of God? That is the difference. I have the right to pray, but no right to desecrate. That is the difference that we need to recognise and respect."

Besides, the minister was asked about the allegation that the BJP-led government hid important unemployment statistics which purportedly led to the resignation of key people in the National Statistical Commission.

"I am happy that you asked this question because it gives me a sense of the distortion that is being done amongst people with regards to...Fake news," Irani said in response.

The minister referred to initiatives such as the Rs 6,000-crore package to apparel manufacturers, 1.3 crore homes built by the present government, 1.7 crore capital assets built across the country by the present government through MNREGA and plan of building 1 lakh well-ness centres across the country to counter the lack of job creation narrative.

"If you look at the figures, they speak for themselves...," Irani said.

She claimed that before the present BJP-led government assumed, rural job guarantee scheme MNREGA was used so that doles could be given out and no capital assets could be built for the country.

"We insisted that you build capital assets and as compared to the previous government where only 20 lakh such assets were made we ensured that 1.7 crore capital assets are built by those very fellow citizens who were part of a pre-existing opportunity," said the minister.

Amid a row over the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, Union Minister Smriti Irani said Friday that religious practices should be "respected" and anyone breaching them just to "make headlines" would do a great disservice to the country's diversity.

Amid a row over the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, Union Minister Smriti Irani said Friday that religious practices should be "respected" and anyone breaching them just to "make headlines" would do a great disservice to the country's diversity. She said this during an event in Delhi University campus in response to a question from a student on Irani's recent comments on the issue where she said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate. "I speak from personal experience. And, I said that publicly when I made that comment..I am married to a Zoroastrian, i.E., a Parsi, and by law, I am not allowed (to enter fire temple). And, by law means not by the Constitution but by laws that govern that particular religious practice," she said. "Irrespective of how empowered I am, I am not allowed to enter a fire temple," Irani told a gathering of students at a business conclave event at Shri Ram College of Commerce here. The textile minister said her earlier comments on the issue was to tell that there are religious practices across different communities. "I have not gone to the Supreme Court, to tell Supreme Court to give me the power to barge into a fire temple, because I respect the religious beliefs of the community that I am associated with. "That community says, I will not have access to a fire temple. I have to stand on the road when my children are inside, praying," she said. She was asked why should there be a blanket restriction on women's entry to the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala, over objections from certain quarters. "It is incumbent upon you to respect that religious practice because the Constitution gives us rights to be free, but it also impinges upon us responsibilities towards fellow citizens," she said. Irani said there are "many temples" across the country, where "men are not allowed". There are many churches, many mosques where restrictions are given for religious practices to be undertaken, she said. "As individuals, it is our responsibility, given the diverse nature of communities in our country, to respect those tenets, and those practices. "Do we breach practices only because we seek to make headlines or do we talk about only and only matters of faith. And, that is where my comments came from," she said. "That if I breach somebody's religious practice only because my face will be in the newspaper, then I do great disservice to the diversity of India," Irani said. On September 28 last year, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine. Amid protests against the Supreme Court order opening the temple to women of all ages, Irani had in October said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate. "I am nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict as I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense is that would you carry a napkin seeped with menstrual blood and walk into a friend's house. You would not," she had said then, adding, "And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of God? That is the difference. I have the right to pray, but no right to desecrate. That is the difference that we need to recognise and respect." Besides, the minister was asked about the allegation that the BJP-led government hid important unemployment statistics which purportedly led to the resignation of key people in the National Statistical Commission. "I am happy that you asked this question because it gives me a sense of the distortion that is being done amongst people with regards to...Fake news," Irani said in response. The minister referred to initiatives such as the Rs 6,000-crore package to apparel manufacturers, 1.3 crore homes built by the present government, 1.7 crore capital assets built across the country by the present government through MNREGA and plan of building 1 lakh well-ness centres across the country to counter the lack of job creation narrative. "If you look at the figures, they speak for themselves...," Irani said. She claimed that before the present BJP-led government assumed, rural job guarantee scheme MNREGA was used so that doles could be given out and no capital assets could be built for the country. "We insisted that you build capital assets and as compared to the previous government where only 20 lakh such assets were made we ensured that 1.7 crore capital assets are built by those very fellow citizens who were part of a pre-existing opportunity," said the minister.

Religious practices should be 'respected': Smriti Irani on Sabarimala row

Polling in Tripura recorded an 89.96 % turn out. This is not exactly a record turn-out. It means 10 % of 25.73 lakh or 2.5 lakh people (approximately) never turned up to vote. Considering that Tripura is one of the few states with high voter literacy and since both the Left Front and the BJP have undertaken considerable booth management exercises, the turn-out is rather dismal. Be that as it may, Tripura&rsquo;s fate is now sealed. We have to wait till March 3 for the verdict.&nbsp;

But until yesterday, Manik Sarkar, Tripura&rsquo;s chief minister till date and for the last 20 years confidently claimed that the Left Front would return to power even as BJP stalwarts in Tripura countered his claims and say the voters will decide whether they want to be stuck with a non-delivering socialistic paradigm or a development-oriented government that people have been deprived of for several decades. Prime Minister Modi made a special appeal to the voters of Tripura to come out and vote for the BJP which promises &#39;Change&#39;.

The BJP has made a clutter of promises from the universal health insurance to farm loan waiver and smartphone for youths to direct funding for ADC &ndash; 2018 and above all implementation of the 7th Pay Commission and enhanced daily wages to Rs 340 per day. Countering the BJP claims, working president of the Congress Party (which is now reduced to a complete non-entity and which might not get even a single seat this time), Pradyot Debbarma says the BJP is promising the moon but will find it hard to deliver. &ldquo;They are talking about the 7th Pay Commission here but have not implemented the same in Assam, Madhya Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states. The daily wages under MNREGA in Assam where BJP is ruling is Rs 170, so how can they pay Rs 340 in Tripura?&rdquo; The problem is that the Congress offers nothing better except to counter the BJP&rsquo;s claims.&nbsp;

This, in fact, is the problem with the Congress Party in the poll-bound states of Meghalaya and Nagaland. The Party has no vision for the region and the states. It has just been lambasting the BJP and voters are actually tired of these political slugfests on a daily basis. Rahul Gandhi, the AICC President, came to campaign in Tripura only on the penultimate date, 48 hours before polling. This has not enchanted people to vote for Congress.&nbsp;

In fact, the rise of the Left Parties in Tripura is proportionate to the failure of the Congress Party to win hearts and minds. From a movement initiated by enlightened youth in the 1940s the CPI which later morphed into the CPI (M), went on to form the first Left Front government in alliance with two other parties - the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and All India Forward Bloc in 1978. The Congress aligned with Tripura Upajati Juba Samiti (TUJS) &ndash; a party of the indigenous people of Tripura and defeated the Left Front in 1988. But this coalition was short-lived. By the next election in 1993, the Left Front returned to power.

Much has been said about Manik Sarkar&rsquo;s honesty and him being the poorest chief minister of Tripura but this claim is busted by the Rose Valley chit fund scam where Sarkar&rsquo;s ministers were singed. The Company is alleged to have looted Rs 35 crore of public deposits, according to State Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha. No action taken against the accused has created disaffection in the depositors.

&nbsp;Moreover, the failure of the Left Front to address unemployment; its failure to attract industries for employment generation and a general sense that even the Digital India drive that has enabled the country to connect with the world, has not worked for Tripura and you have an anatomy of failed governance.

&nbsp;Then there is the infamous ruling by the Supreme Court where 10,323 government teachers were terminated because the state Education Department flouted the rules under which the teachers under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan had to be recruited which required a certain qualification and three years of experience. The state created over 12 thousand non-teaching posts where they might have been rehabilitated but again the Supreme Court prevented the Government from going ahead with this plan. Hence, the 12,000 odd jobless people are bound to retaliate against the Government. Or that is what is expected in normal circumstances.

The Medical College started in Tripura, has not been functioning well and the BJP has called out all the scams that it has documented meticulously. To start industries in a Left-ruled state has always been a challenge because of the rent-seeking mafia. Hence industries that opened up with much fanfare quickly shut down because there was no scope for their enterprise to bloom in Tripura.

Tripura has about 8 lakh of unemployed youth and jobs in the government sector have stagnated. Government employees are still stuck with the 4th Pay Commission. Dissatisfaction is writ large on their faces. Meanwhile, the BJP has come in with a basketful of promises and hopes to cash in on this feeling of large-scale disaffection. The BJP used its students&rsquo; wing- the ABVP and the disciplined RSS machinery. They were able to build grassroots contact.

To add to this extensive exercise the BJP also flew in its central ministers. Prime Minister Modi flew in twice to Tripura. Amit Shah, the BJP President, organised mega rallies. Other senior ministers flew in and out of Tripura. So did the ministers from neighbouring Assam and Manipur, both BJP ruled states. It is alleged that the BJP also had the moolah which Manik Sarkar&rsquo;s Party could not afford. Political observers said, &ldquo;Never before have we seen four private planes parked at Agartala airport&quot;. Central ministers were literally flying in and out of Tripura.&nbsp;

So eager is the BJP to win this Left bastion that it has pulled out all the stops. It remains to be seen if this effort would pay dividends. The BJP has been pitching for change in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland.&nbsp;

What change party brings,&nbsp;will be revealed when and if the BJP comes to power? Until then the voters of Tripura must wait and watch. So to the two main political rivals!&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The BJP has come in with a basketful of promises and hopes to cash in on this feeling of large-scale disaffection in Tripura.

Polling in Tripura recorded an 89.96 % turn out. This is not exactly a record turn-out. It means 10 % of 25.73 lakh or 2.5 lakh people (approximately) never turned up to vote. Considering that Tripura is one of the few states with high voter literacy and since both the Left Front and the BJP have undertaken considerable booth management exercises, the turn-out is rather dismal. Be that as it may, Tripura’s fate is now sealed. We have to wait till March 3 for the verdict. But until yesterday, Manik Sarkar, Tripura’s chief minister till date and for the last 20 years confidently claimed that the Left Front would return to power even as BJP stalwarts in Tripura countered his claims and say the voters will decide whether they want to be stuck with a non-delivering socialistic paradigm or a development-oriented government that people have been deprived of for several decades. Prime Minister Modi made a special appeal to the voters of Tripura to come out and vote for the BJP which promises 'Change'. The BJP has made a clutter of promises from the universal health insurance to farm loan waiver and smartphone for youths to direct funding for ADC – 2018 and above all implementation of the 7th Pay Commission and enhanced daily wages to Rs 340 per day. Countering the BJP claims, working president of the Congress Party (which is now reduced to a complete non-entity and which might not get even a single seat this time), Pradyot Debbarma says the BJP is promising the moon but will find it hard to deliver. “They are talking about the 7th Pay Commission here but have not implemented the same in Assam, Madhya Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states. The daily wages under MNREGA in Assam where BJP is ruling is Rs 170, so how can they pay Rs 340 in Tripura?” The problem is that the Congress offers nothing better except to counter the BJP’s claims. This, in fact, is the problem with the Congress Party in the poll-bound states of Meghalaya and Nagaland. The Party has no vision for the region and the states. It has just been lambasting the BJP and voters are actually tired of these political slugfests on a daily basis. Rahul Gandhi, the AICC President, came to campaign in Tripura only on the penultimate date, 48 hours before polling. This has not enchanted people to vote for Congress. In fact, the rise of the Left Parties in Tripura is proportionate to the failure of the Congress Party to win hearts and minds. From a movement initiated by enlightened youth in the 1940s the CPI which later morphed into the CPI (M), went on to form the first Left Front government in alliance with two other parties - the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and All India Forward Bloc in 1978. The Congress aligned with Tripura Upajati Juba Samiti (TUJS) – a party of the indigenous people of Tripura and defeated the Left Front in 1988. But this coalition was short-lived. By the next election in 1993, the Left Front returned to power. Much has been said about Manik Sarkar’s honesty and him being the poorest chief minister of Tripura but this claim is busted by the Rose Valley chit fund scam where Sarkar’s ministers were singed. The Company is alleged to have looted Rs 35 crore of public deposits, according to State Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha. No action taken against the accused has created disaffection in the depositors. Moreover, the failure of the Left Front to address unemployment; its failure to attract industries for employment generation and a general sense that even the Digital India drive that has enabled the country to connect with the world, has not worked for Tripura and you have an anatomy of failed governance. Then there is the infamous ruling by the Supreme Court where 10,323 government teachers were terminated because the state Education Department flouted the rules under which the teachers under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan had to be recruited which required a certain qualification and three years of experience. The state created over 12 thousand non-teaching posts where they might have been rehabilitated but again the Supreme Court prevented the Government from going ahead with this plan. Hence, the 12,000 odd jobless people are bound to retaliate against the Government. Or that is what is expected in normal circumstances. The Medical College started in Tripura, has not been functioning well and the BJP has called out all the scams that it has documented meticulously. To start industries in a Left-ruled state has always been a challenge because of the rent-seeking mafia. Hence industries that opened up with much fanfare quickly shut down because there was no scope for their enterprise to bloom in Tripura. Tripura has about 8 lakh of unemployed youth and jobs in the government sector have stagnated. Government employees are still stuck with the 4th Pay Commission. Dissatisfaction is writ large on their faces. Meanwhile, the BJP has come in with a basketful of promises and hopes to cash in on this feeling of large-scale disaffection. The BJP used its students’ wing- the ABVP and the disciplined RSS machinery. They were able to build grassroots contact. To add to this extensive exercise the BJP also flew in its central ministers. Prime Minister Modi flew in twice to Tripura. Amit Shah, the BJP President, organised mega rallies. Other senior ministers flew in and out of Tripura. So did the ministers from neighbouring Assam and Manipur, both BJP ruled states. It is alleged that the BJP also had the moolah which Manik Sarkar’s Party could not afford. Political observers said, “Never before have we seen four private planes parked at Agartala airport". Central ministers were literally flying in and out of Tripura. So eager is the BJP to win this Left bastion that it has pulled out all the stops. It remains to be seen if this effort would pay dividends. The BJP has been pitching for change in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. What change party brings, will be revealed when and if the BJP comes to power? Until then the voters of Tripura must wait and watch. So to the two main political rivals! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Tripura is disappointed with Left but can BJP do better?

The Centre today told the Supreme Court that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was a &quot;demand-driven scheme&quot; and it has not curtailed the demand for funds by the states under it.

Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal told a bench comprising justices Madan B Lokur and N V Ramana that there were no instances where the Centre has either capped number of days of employment under the Act or not released funds to the states.

&quot;We have paid increased amount (to the states). The MGNREGA is a demand-driven scheme and at no stage, the demand (of the states for funds) has been curtailed by the Union of India,&quot; he submitted.

Venugopal put forwards the arguments while countering the submissions of advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO-turned-political party Swaraj Abhiyan.

Bhushan claimed in the court that the Centre has no authority in law to reduce the &quot;person days&quot; from the projection made by the states under the Act and due of lack of funds, the states were unable to give employement to the people.

&quot;The Act provides for 100 days of employement (in a year). It is a statutory obligation,&quot; he said, adding, &quot;They are denying statutory rights to the people.&quot;

At the outset, the AG told the bench that according to the provision of the Act, a Central Employment Guarantee Council was there and the petitioner could make a representation before the body since a large number of issues were raised in the plea.

When the bench asked Bhushan about it, he said issues raised were &quot;purely legal&quot; and the apex court should deal with them.

&quot;If you (petitioner) are saying there are purely legal issues, we will hear them but no further affidavit should be filed. Or you give a representation before the council. They will give us a report and we will see,&quot; it said.

When the AG said that the petitioner should appear before the council, Bhushan claimed, &quot;That body is filled with politically affiliated persons.&quot;

Venugopal contended, &quot;The petitioner is now a political party and thus making a political attack.&quot;

The bench posted the matter for further hearing on February 13 and said that it would go into the legal issues only.

During the hearing, the bench asked the AG as to how funds were allotted to the states under the Act.

A senior government official, who was present in the court, explained to the bench about the process of fund- allocation to the states and said there was no paucity of funds under the Act.

The official also said that in the financial year 2017- 18, initially Rs 48,000 crore was allotted under the Act but when the states demanded more funds, the Ministry of Finance allotted an additional Rs 7,000 crore.

The AG said that in 2016-17 financial year, 20 states crossed the agreed budget and the Centre provided the funds to them.

The Centre had in December last year refuted the claims of the petitioner that there was a delay on the government&#39;s part in releasing funds under the Act.

The court, which is hearing the plea which has sought relief measures in drought-hit states in the country, had earlier said that state food commissions, as mandated under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, should be set up even in states not hit by drought.

The plea has alleged that parts of 12 states-- Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Haryana and Chhattisgarh-- were hit by drought and authorities were not providing adequate relief.&nbsp;

'We have paid increased amount (to the states). The MGNREGA is a demand-driven scheme and at no stage, the demand (of the states for funds) has been curtailed by the Union of India,' the Centre said Thursday

The Centre today told the Supreme Court that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was a "demand-driven scheme" and it has not curtailed the demand for funds by the states under it. Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal told a bench comprising justices Madan B Lokur and N V Ramana that there were no instances where the Centre has either capped number of days of employment under the Act or not released funds to the states. "We have paid increased amount (to the states). The MGNREGA is a demand-driven scheme and at no stage, the demand (of the states for funds) has been curtailed by the Union of India," he submitted. Venugopal put forwards the arguments while countering the submissions of advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO-turned-political party Swaraj Abhiyan. Bhushan claimed in the court that the Centre has no authority in law to reduce the "person days" from the projection made by the states under the Act and due of lack of funds, the states were unable to give employement to the people. "The Act provides for 100 days of employement (in a year). It is a statutory obligation," he said, adding, "They are denying statutory rights to the people." At the outset, the AG told the bench that according to the provision of the Act, a Central Employment Guarantee Council was there and the petitioner could make a representation before the body since a large number of issues were raised in the plea. When the bench asked Bhushan about it, he said issues raised were "purely legal" and the apex court should deal with them. "If you (petitioner) are saying there are purely legal issues, we will hear them but no further affidavit should be filed. Or you give a representation before the council. They will give us a report and we will see," it said. When the AG said that the petitioner should appear before the council, Bhushan claimed, "That body is filled with politically affiliated persons." Venugopal contended, "The petitioner is now a political party and thus making a political attack." The bench posted the matter for further hearing on February 13 and said that it would go into the legal issues only. During the hearing, the bench asked the AG as to how funds were allotted to the states under the Act. A senior government official, who was present in the court, explained to the bench about the process of fund- allocation to the states and said there was no paucity of funds under the Act. The official also said that in the financial year 2017- 18, initially Rs 48,000 crore was allotted under the Act but when the states demanded more funds, the Ministry of Finance allotted an additional Rs 7,000 crore. The AG said that in 2016-17 financial year, 20 states crossed the agreed budget and the Centre provided the funds to them. The Centre had in December last year refuted the claims of the petitioner that there was a delay on the government's part in releasing funds under the Act. The court, which is hearing the plea which has sought relief measures in drought-hit states in the country, had earlier said that state food commissions, as mandated under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, should be set up even in states not hit by drought. The plea has alleged that parts of 12 states-- Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Haryana and Chhattisgarh-- were hit by drought and authorities were not providing adequate relief.

Have not curtailed demand for NREGA funds by states: Govt to SC

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