The Congress party has launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, claiming that the transition to the VB-G RAM G Act is a calculated move to end the legal employment guarantee for rural poor.

  • Congress claims the VB-G RAM G Act has effectively destroyed the legal employment guarantee of MGNREGA.
  • Data from Ballia district shows a massive gap between work targets and actual man-days provided.
  • The opposition demands the reinstatement of MGNREGA with wages based on expert committee recommendations.

The Indian National Congress on Tuesday accused the Modi-led central government of dismantling the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which it describes as the "lifeline" of the nation's impoverished population. Congress General Secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, alleged that the government's true policy is to enrich "crony capitalists" by stripping away the last remnants of financial security from the poor.

Sharing a report on X, Mr. Ramesh highlighted a distressing trend in the Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh. According to departmental statistics, job card holders are becoming disillusioned with the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB G RAM G. The disparity is stark: against a target of 1.76 lakh man-days of work, only 10,669 days were actually provided over a two-month period.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the shift from MGNREGA to the VB-G RAM G Act represents a fundamental change in governance—moving from a "Rights-Based Approach" (where employment is a legal right) to a "Mission-Based Approach." This transition potentially removes the legal obligation of the state to provide work, leaving rural laborers vulnerable to administrative whims.

"Replacing a legal guarantee with a mission-based scheme risks turning a fundamental right into a discretionary benefit."

The Congress party has further criticized the wage structure under the new law, labeling it as unjustifiably low. The opposition has urged the government to adopt the 2019 recommendations of the expert committee led by Dr. Anoop Satpathy, which suggested a just minimum wage adjusted for inflation.

Historically, MGNREGA was introduced by the UPA government to ensure livelihood security in rural areas. For two decades, it served as a critical safety net, preventing distress migration and empowering women in the rural workforce by providing guaranteed wages for unskilled manual work.

Feature MGNREGA VB-G RAM G Act
Legal Status Statutory Right to Work Mission-Driven Framework
Core Promise 100 Days Guaranteed Work Livelihood & Skill Integration
Opposition View Lifeline for the Poor Crony Capitalist Agenda
Did You Know?: MGNREGA is one of the largest social security programs in the world, specifically designed to provide a legal safety net for the rural unemployed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the VB-G RAM G Act?
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act replaced MGNREGA on July 1, aiming to align rural employment with the 'Viksit Bharat' vision.

2. Why is the Congress party opposing this change?
The party argues that the new law removes the legal guarantee of employment and provides lower wages compared to the cost of living.