Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 28: The Congress on Sunday criticised the Centre’s newly introduced Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, alleging that the scheme would lead to greater centralisation of powers and increase financial pressure on state governments.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the government had replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) without adequate consultation with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development, state governments and other stakeholders.
“The Modi government, vengeful and petty as ever, bulldozed the repeal of MGNREGA through Parliament without any thorough consultation,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
He claimed that several states, including BJP-ruled states, have raised concerns over the financial implications of the new framework. According to him, states have expressed concerns about additional expenditure burdens, restrictions during peak agricultural seasons and the need for higher wages for rural workers.
“MGNREGA guaranteed right to work derived from the Constitution. VB-G RAM G will guarantee only centralisation and further financial stress on states,” Ramesh said.
The Congress alleged that the new scheme weakens the bargaining power of rural labourers and gives greater control to the Centre over planning, funding and implementation.
The VB-G RAM G Act is set to replace the two-decade-old MGNREGA framework and proposes 125 days of statutory wage employment for rural households. The new structure has also triggered debate over the revised funding arrangement, with critics arguing that states will face a higher financial burden compared to the earlier system.
Under the new model, general category states are expected to share a larger portion of costs, with analysts noting that the revised funding pattern could increase fiscal pressure on states depending on their financial position.
The Centre has defended the changes, stating that the new framework aims to improve rural employment delivery, increase transparency and provide expanded employment opportunities.
The political debate over VB-G RAM G comes as several states continue to raise concerns over its implementation, funding structure and impact on rural workers.