Jairam Ramesh alleges fake attendance under VB-G RAM G scheme
The Congress leader claimed irregularities involving clone applications have surfaced in Uttar Pradesh districts.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of allowing irregularities under the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) scheme. According to a report by ANI, Ramesh claimed that instances of fraudulent attendance using clone applications have been identified in the Sant Kabir Nagar and Gorakhpur districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Ramesh stated on X that after a major case was reported in Gorakhpur, the government issued a clarification. He noted that a similar situation has now been reported in Sant Kabir Nagar, describing the repeated exposure of fake attendance via clone apps as a serious matter.
The Congress leader questioned the BJP regarding the use of Lord Ram's name in relation to these incidents. He alleged that the party is using the name of Ram to facilitate fake employment and the theft of donations and offerings.
Ramesh previously claimed on October 13 that the scheme was being used to deny the poor their right to work. He argued that the government is exploiting the vulnerable through these attendance discrepancies.
In August, officials reported suspected irregularities worth crores of rupees in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan under the same scheme. The Ministry of Rural Development held a video conference with the Rajasthan government on August 21 regarding the matter.
The VB-G RAM G Act, which replaced the 100-day employment guarantee with a 125-day guarantee, came into effect on July 1.