Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka. File | Photo credit: The Hindu
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Chairman Saptagri Ulaka on Wednesday (December 17, 2025) urged Lok Sabha Speaker O Birla to move the Vix Bharat – Guarantee to Rozgar and Ajamika (Gramin) Mission Bill, 2025. Scrutiny Committee
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In a letter to the speaker, the congressman said the proposed legislation introduces “far-reaching changes” to the rural employment and livelihoods framework with significant implications for rural, tribal and economically vulnerable populations. “Standing committees are not procedural formalities, they are an integral part of the legislative function of parliament,” Mr Ulaka wrote, expressing “deep concern” at the prospect of the bill being processed without such review.
The letter highlighted three main problems: the replacement of rights-based claims with conditional, government-identified provisions; structural changes with long-term implications for rural employment; and issues of constitutional propriety, including the weakening of justiciable rights and the erosion of accountability.
The deputy claimed that these cannot be adequately addressed within the framework of the floor discussion.
The MP described it as “institutionally anomalous” that the bill had not been submitted to the committee directly dealing with its subject matter, and warned that bypassing scrutiny would weaken parliamentary oversight and reduce the quality of legislation. “Such a reference would be consistent with parliamentary conventions and reaffirm Parliament’s commitment to discretion and accountability,” the letter said, calling on the Speaker to ensure a comprehensive review in the greater institutional interest of the House.
Published – 17 Dec 2025 20:43 IST
