Congress questions Punjab govt’s decision to implement VB-G RAM G scheme

Chandigarh, June 27 (IANS) With Bhagwant Mann government notifying the Viksit Bharat — Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) scheme and bringing Centre’s rural employment law into force in Punjab from July 1, the state Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Saturday raised pointed questions at government’s ‘intent’, insinuating at some “deal” with the BJP-led Centre.

He asked under what “deal and compromise” with the BJP, it chose to implement the Central scheme despite the Punjab Assembly unanimously opposing the legislation.

“What is the deal?” Warring asked.

The PCC President pointed out that the Punjab government convened a special session of the Vidhan Sabha on December 30, 2025, and passed a unanimous resolution rejecting the VB G RAM G scheme, however, the state government notified the implementation of the scheme on Friday, thus negating its own resolution.

He said the timing of implementation of the scheme in Punjab “is as important as it is surprising”.

He asked whether the sudden implementation of the scheme had something to do with the ongoing controversy related to the Chief Minister?

“Having been cornered both within and outside his party, is the Chief Minister trying to buy peace with the BJP?” he asked.

“Besides this, there appears to be no reason for the scheme to be implemented in Punjab when it was unanimously rejected by the Assembly,” he added.

Warring also asked AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal to explain whether he approved of Mann govt’s decision to implement the VB G RAMG scheme in Punjab.

“Kejriwal must break his silence and clarify his position,” he remarked, adding, “otherwise it will become established that the AAP actually has stuck some opportunistic deal with the BJP”.

Earlier, Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the Punjab assembly decision not to implement the Centre’s rural livelihood scheme as “undemocratic” and against the basic spirit of the Constitution, which he said reflected “blind opposition” politics.

–IANS

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