Congress Accuses Modi Government of Job Theft with New Employment Law

Congress Criticizes VB-G RAM G Act Implementation

On Monday, the Congress party accused the Modi administration of committing job theft through the implementation of the VB-G RAM G Act. The party's claims are based on government data indicating a significant decline in rural employment generation in July, marking the first month since the new law replaced MGNREGA. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a media report on X, citing official statistics that reveal a staggering 49.94% year-on-year drop in 'person-days' of employment created under the new rural employment guarantee program for July.

Ramesh pointed out that the initial month of the VB-G RAM G Act is already reflecting the adverse effects of phasing out MGNREGA. According to the figures he provided, there was a 51.45% decrease in the number of families receiving employment compared to July 2025, when MGNREGA was still in effect. Additionally, there was nearly a 50% reduction in 'person-days' of work. He emphasized that these statistics align with the warnings issued by Congress and other opposition parties during the removal of MGNREGA.

He stated that MGNREGA had legally guaranteed employment for rural workers and empowered village councils to implement the scheme. The aim of the program was to liberate workers from dependence on the political whims of the government. Ramesh accused the Modi administration of centralizing the rural employment program, imposing greater financial burdens on state governments, and relying excessively on technology and biometric authentication for access to its benefits.

Ramesh reiterated that instead of decentralizing, the Modi government has centralized the scheme, increased the financial strain on state governments, and made access to its benefits heavily reliant on technology and biometric systems. This has effectively eliminated the guarantee of employment and made it more challenging for workers to assert their rights, which he described as outright job theft.