Allocations to rural development projects increased under the Narendra Modi government when compared with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said while replying to a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the working of his Ministry on Tuesday (March 17, 2026). While the Congress accused others of forgetting Mahatma Gandhi, under its regime, most projects were named after members of the Nehru family, Mr. Chouhan said.
The Congress lacked policy clarity, leadership, and intent, Mr. Chouhan said. The protests against the change in the name of MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) to VB-G RAM G [Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)] Act did not succeed as the country was not standing with them, he said.
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Mocking the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for wearing jeans during the protests, he said the protest dates had been repeatedly announced and rescheduled, at first January 5; then January 8; and later, January 10. “Yet, the agitation failed to gain traction. I travelled across the country looking for this mahasangram (great battle), but neither the earth shook nor the sky cracked; not even a leaf moved,” Mr. Chouhan said.
