Srinagar, Dec 20: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday sharply criticized the amended MGNREGA bill, now renamed Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, calling it detrimental as it shifts the financial burden of the scheme onto states without adequate central support.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah took a humorous dig at the bill’s acronym, likening “G RAM G” to an old Bollywood movie titled ‘Ji Mummy Ji’. “Where did this name come from? They should name a bill only after thinking carefully,” he remarked, adding that his nephew recognized the reference.
The CM condemned the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme, stating, “First, you removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name, which is wrong. Then, you have put the burden of this scheme on the states. There are many changes in this Bill that will harm states like ours.”
Responding to opposition charges of praising the BJP in Delhi, Abdullah asserted he appreciates the Centre’s positive steps but will always highlight shortcomings. “I am not among those who play politics to fool the people. I will say it wherever the Centre provides help, and point out lacunae wherever they exist,” he said.
On statehood, he noted the Centre has left “no scope for complaint in other things” but offered only reasons to complain on this key issue, emphasizing he raises concerns consistently in Srinagar, Delhi, meetings, and assembly speeches.
