VB-GRAMG sparks political storm in TN; has Vijay govt in a spot
CM seeks changes to the Centre's rural jobs scheme, but DMK and rights groups question why his government agreed to implement it in the first place
What began as a formal request from Chief Minister Joseph Vijay in his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding changes to the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAMG) scheme has quickly turned into a major political confrontation in Tamil Nadu.
While the Chief Minister’s letter highlighted an additional burden of over Rs 5,000 crore on the state and sought 100 per cent central funding for wages, dynamic peak-season rules, and inclusion of state housing schemes, Opposition parties and rights groups have slammed the Vijay-led government for even agreeing to implement the scheme.
DMK slams scheme
Senior DMK leader Thangam Thenarasu accused the new scheme of dramatically increasing the financial burden on states compared to the old MGNREGA.
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“When MGNREGA was implemented, the States’ financial load was under control. But the VB-GRAMG scheme has imposed additional financial responsibilities on state governments. This goes against the basic principle of federalism that the Union and States should share responsibilities fairly. It weakens the financial autonomy of states. If the TVK government implements this scheme without any resistance, it will be seen as a failure to protect Tamil Nadu’s financial interests and state rights. The government must take a strong opposing stand against the features that harm the state,” he said.
Protests in Chennai
Adding to the pressure, members of the Tamil Nadu All Types of Differently Abled and Guardians Rights Association staged a protest in Chennai.
The protesters demanded that the Centre scrap the VB-GRAMG scheme entirely and continue with the original Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Fresh criticism
Tamil K Amutharasan, DMK Student Wing State deputy secretary, launched a scathing attack on the Vijay government.
“It is shocking that the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government is implementing the VB-GRAMG scheme brought by the Union government as a replacement for MGNREGA without any opposition. While they only talk about ‘opposing fascism’ and ‘BJP being our ideological enemy’, in practice they are implementing BJP government’s schemes and policies in Tamil Nadu. Weakening the employment guarantee scheme that was a lifeline for rural poor is a clear betrayal of social justice, federalism and State rights,” he said.
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He also questioned other Opposition parties: “For the past 13 years, Congress failed to mount strong resistance against the BJP’s anti-people measures. What stand will they take now? Will VCK, Communist parties, who claim to strongly oppose this Union scheme, now speak up when it is being implemented in Tamil Nadu? Or will they remain silent before power? Is their policy ‘Oppose when BJP brings it… stay silent when alliance government implements it’? Or will they again repeat the old excuses like ‘If we criticise, Governor’s rule will come’ and stage another political drama to fool the people?”
Manifesto under scrutiny
Before the elections, TVK’s stated position, prominently featured in its election manifesto, was categorical opposition to any renaming of the rural employment guarantee scheme and firm rejection of any move that would impose an additional financial burden on the state exchequer. The party had demanded that the original MGNREGA framework, along with its Mahatma Gandhi name and the earlier funding pattern that did not strain State finances, be retained without dilution.
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