Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Government's Move to Replace MGNREGA

Opposition to the Proposed Bill

On Tuesday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi strongly condemned the central government's initiative to amend the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), asserting that it directly disrespects the principles of Mahatma Gandhi. His remarks come at a time when the government is planning to abolish the rural employment scheme that legally guarantees 100 days of wage employment for rural families each year. The central government intends to introduce the Developed India Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) (VB-G RAM G) Bill of 2025, which has sparked significant outrage among opposition parties.

Allegations Against the Prime Minister

In a lengthy post on social media, Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of harboring a "deep hatred" for two things: the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and the rights of the impoverished. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha emphasized that MGNREGA exemplifies Gandhi's vision of village self-governance. He noted that it has been a lifeline for millions of rural Indians and served as a crucial economic safety net during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gandhi claimed that the NDA government is systematically attempting to undermine MGNREGA, stating that the rural employment guarantee scheme has made Modi "uneasy."

Concerns Over Centralized Control

He further expressed that this scheme has consistently troubled Prime Minister Modi. For the past decade, his administration has been making deliberate efforts to weaken it. Now, he asserted, Modi aims to transform MGNREGA into a tool for centralized control, where budgets, plans, and regulations will be dictated by the center, forcing states to bear 40% of the costs. Once the funds are depleted or during harvest seasons, workers could be left without employment for months.

Call to Action Against the Bill

Rahul Gandhi declared that the opposition will protest against this anti-people bill from the streets to Parliament. He reiterated that the new legislation is a direct affront to Mahatma Gandhi's ideals. After devastating the future of India's youth with rampant unemployment, the Modi government is now targeting the secure livelihoods of poor rural families. "From the streets to Parliament, we will oppose this anti-people bill," he stated.

Details of the Proposed Legislation

The central government plans to replace MGNREGA with the new 'Developed India Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission Rural' (VB-G RAM G) Bill. The proposed scheme promises 125 days of wage employment with a 60:40 central-state grant division, and if passed, it will repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act of 2005.