Valsad Congress Protest Against VBG-Ramji Scheme: Demand to Restore MNREGA and Gandhi’s Name

Congress Uproar Near Valsad Gandhi Statue: Battle Over Changes to MNREGA

Political tension has escalated in Valsad as the District Congress Committee launched a fierce protest against the central government’s move to replace the historic Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The protest focuses on the newly introduced VBG-Ramji Scheme (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission – Gramin). Gathering near the iconic Gandhi statue in Valsad, Congress workers condemned the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme, calling it an insult to the Father of the Nation.

The protest is part of a 45-day nationwide agitation. Activists raised slogans demanding that the scheme be restored to its original name and format, asserting that renaming the world’s largest employment guarantee program is a politically motivated attempt to erase the Gandhi-Nehru legacy.

Led by Gaurav Pandya & Kishan Patel: Allegations of Stripping Panchayat Rights

The protest was spearheaded by veteran leader Gaurav Pandya and District Congress President Kishan Patel. During a press conference at the protest site, the leaders raised several critical concerns regarding the structural changes in the new bill:

• Panchayat Autonomy: Congress alleges that the VBG-Ramji framework bypasses Gram Panchayats, shifting control to a centralized “normative allocation system” that weakens local self-governance.
• The “Seasonal Pause”: A major point of contention is the mandatory 60-day pause on works during peak agricultural seasons (sowing and harvesting). Leaders argued that this would deprive poor laborers of a safety net during times of need.
• Livelihood Crisis: For the tribal and rural populations of Valsad, these changes are seen as a threat to their guaranteed right to work.

Comparing the Schemes: 125-Day Guarantee vs. Real-World Data

While the government touts the VBG-Ramji scheme as an upgrade that increases guaranteed work from 100 to 125 days, Congress leaders have challenged the feasibility of this claim.

Gaurav Pandya cited NITI Aayog reports, pointing out that over the last decade, laborers have averaged only 60 days of work. He argued that increasing the legal limit to 125 days is a hollow promise if the actual work provided continues to decline due to funding caps and seasonal pauses.

“Insult to Bapu”: Outrage Over the Removal of Gandhi’s Name

The removal of “Mahatma Gandhi” from the scheme’s title remains the most sensitive issue. Congress leaders stated that Bapu is a global icon of rural self-reliance (Gram Swaraj). Replacing his name with a title that includes “Ramji” is seen by the opposition as “controversial politics” intended to polarize rather than provide welfare.

“The ideal of Ram Rajya and the concept of Gram Swaraj were the twin pillars of Gandhi’s consciousness. Removing the Mahatma’s name from a scheme for the rural poor is a betrayal of his values,” stated the protesting leaders.

The Valsad Congress has warned that if the government does not revert the changes and restore the rights-based nature of the original act, they will take their “Jan Jagruti” (public awareness) campaign to every village in the district.

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