Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Saptagiri Ulaka, on Wednesday (December 17, 2025) urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 to the Committee for detailed scrutiny.
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In a letter to the Speaker, the Congress MP said the proposed legislation introduces “far-reaching changes” to the framework governing rural employment and livelihood support, with significant implications for rural, tribal and economically vulnerable populations. “Standing Committees are not procedural formalities; they are integral to Parliament’s legislative function,” Mr. Ulaka wrote, expressing “deep concern” over the prospect of the Bill being processed without such examination.
The letter flagged three major issues: the replacement of rights-based entitlements with contingent, government-identified provisions; structural changes with long-term consequences for rural employment; and questions of constitutional propriety, including dilution of justiciable rights and erosion of accountability.
These, the MP argued, cannot be adequately addressed within the confines of a floor debate.
Calling it “institutionally anomalous” that the Bill has not been referred to the Committee most directly concerned with its subject, the MP warned that bypassing scrutiny would weaken parliamentary oversight and diminish legislative quality. “Such a reference would be consistent with parliamentary conventions and reaffirm Parliament’s commitment to deliberation and accountability,” the letter said, urging the Speaker to ensure comprehensive examination in the larger institutional interest of the House.
Published – December 17, 2025 08:43 pm IST
