VB-G RAM G Act Dismantles MGNREGA’s Rights-Based Framework: Priyank Kharge
Kharge slams VB-G RAM G as rights betrayal.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has launched a scathing attack on the newly enacted Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025, asserting that it fundamentally erodes the rights-based foundation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which it replaces. In a detailed social media post, Kharge argued that the legislation shifts the programme from a demand-driven legal entitlement—where citizens could rightfully claim work—to a supply-driven model controlled by budgetary allocations, thereby diminishing the core guarantee that empowered rural households for nearly two decades.
Kharge highlighted the imbalance in authority and responsibility, noting that while the Union government retains significant control over decision-making and planning, states are burdened with a larger share of financial and administrative obligations. This restructuring, he contended, exacerbates fiscal strain on states already grappling with reduced tax devolution—from 34 percent to 31 percent, well below the Finance Commission's recommended 42 percent—amid increasingly restrictive centrally sponsored schemes. The minister warned that such measures represent a deliberate dilution of fiscal federalism, undermining cooperative governance principles.
Furthermore, Kharge expressed grave concerns over the centralisation of powers in the new act, which he said curtails local planning and decentralised implementation, directly conflicting with the 73rd Constitutional Amendment that empowers Panchayati Raj Institutions. By sidelining grassroots bodies essential for on-ground execution, the legislation weakens the democratic fabric of rural administration and reduces the effectiveness of employment generation tailored to local needs.
Also Read: President Murmu Gives Assent to New Rural Employment Law, MGNREGA Replaced
The minister questioned the government's portrayal of the act as progressive reform, pointing out that converting a statutory right to work into a conditional, centrally managed scheme defeats MGNREGA's original purpose of providing livelihood security to vulnerable rural workers. He described the changes as gradually rendering the programme unsustainable, ultimately extinguishing the concept of a guaranteed rural employment right.
Echoing these sentiments, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the replacement, alleging it intentionally dismantles a vital safeguard for the rural poor to serve broader political agendas. The VB-G RAM G Act, passed by Parliament on December 18 and assented by President Droupadi Murmu, extends the employment guarantee to 125 days annually but introduces structural shifts, including focused asset creation and altered funding mechanisms, which critics argue prioritise control over empowerment.
Also Read: Opposition Stages All-Night Protest Over MGNREGA Replacement
