Congress criticizes the Center for passing the VB-G RAM G Bill in the Lok Sabha

In the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, opposition lawmakers voiced concerns over the important Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 bill. The nuclear sector bill was criticized by BSP’s Ramji and CPI(M) MP AA Rahim, who said it largely benefitted suppliers. Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP Haris Beeran opposed the SHANTI Bill in the Rajya Sabha, pointing out that it permits private investors to enter India’s nuclear business without being held accountable. He also called for the bill to be forwarded to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for assessment.

Awadhesh Prasad, an MP for the Samajwadi Party, criticized the BJP government for prioritizing name changes over worker concerns. He described MGNREGA as “an old scheme that was started 20 years ago, under which workers got the opportunity to work,” but he also pointed out that many workers, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, still do not get paid for finished labor.

He highlighted rising inflation and declining purchasing power, urging that workers be paid Rs 1,000 per day and that annual workdays be increased from 125 to at least 200, with all pending payments cleared. Prasad condemned the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name, saying it “shows the petty mindset of the BJP” and is “not just an insult to him, but an insult to our country,” warning that if such actions continue, the party may even remove Gandhi’s picture from currency notes. He questioned, “What kind of India do they want to build?”

AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang stated that MGNREGA has been the main source of employment for the lowest sections following the approval of the VB-G RAM G Bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. He claimed that even though the government is increasing the number of workdays from 100 to 125, there won’t be any job available during the critical 60-day peak farming season. He claims that these modifications indicate that the central government has essentially made the decision to terminate the MGNREGA program