Guwahati: Manipur Member of Parliament Angomcha Bimol Akoijam on Thursday, December 17, flagged four major issues in the Lok Sabha while participating in the debate on the VB-G RAM G Bill, calling on Parliament to move beyond partisan politics and adopt a more inclusive, consultative approach to lawmaking that directly affects citizens’ rights and livelihoods.
Speaking during the discussion, Akoijam first emphasised the need to protect the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, warning against any effort to undermine his moral and historical significance. He recalled a widely cited view that four figures—Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, Albert Einstein, and Mahatma Gandhi—have most profoundly shaped the modern world, noting that Gandhi stands apart as the only non-Jew among them. According to the MP, Gandhiji’s values continue to form the ethical backbone of India’s democracy and must command respect irrespective of political differences.
Akoijam then drew attention to two landmark legislations passed by Parliament—the Right to Information (RTI) Act and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He described RTI as a powerful instrument that has deepened democratic accountability by enabling citizens to seek answers from the State. On MGNREGA, he argued that the scheme derives its constitutional legitimacy from the Right to Work, which he said emanates from the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Raising concerns over ongoing rural hardship, the MP urged the government to reinforce the implementation of MGNREGA. He proposed increasing the number of guaranteed workdays to between 125 and 150 days and called for the minimum daily wage to be raised to at least Rs 500. Akoijam said such reforms were necessary to ensure the scheme genuinely supports rural livelihoods and addresses economic distress.
In his concluding remarks, Akoijam appealed for greater cooperation between the ruling dispensation and the Opposition, particularly when framing laws that impact citizens’ rights and economic security. He also pressed for the VB-G RAM G Bill to be referred to a Select Committee, arguing that detailed scrutiny and broader consultation would help build wider parliamentary consensus.